POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON CATTLE FARMING IN KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: Increase in variability and change in temperature and rainfall patterns are being experienced in many parts of the world including Eastern Africa. Changes in temperature and rainfall extremes are already being experienced in many parts of the world and Kenya is not an exception. The overall objective of this study was to assess the potential effects of extreme climate variability and change on livestock in the ASALs of Kenya.
 Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps.
 Results: The study observed that during the period of abnormal wetness, cattle populations were higher than those of the abnormal dryness thus climate affects cattle population. From the projections, the study concludes that there are chances of high negative effect of abnormal dryness for the period 2030-2040 over the study area.
 Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: Findings from the study can be used in the planning and management of the livestock sector in the ASALs of Kenya and support national sustainable development planning. The information from this study can be used by the policy makers to develop policies that can address the problem of high livestock mortality due to extreme weather and climate conditions in the country. Further studies on the effects of climate change on other aspects of livestock such as forage as well as methodology way to distinguish human factors from climate factors that affect livestock farming should be conducted.