Harnessing Nature's Resilience through Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration for Climate Change Adaptation in the Central Rift, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change affects nations differently according to their natural environment and economic structure. Communities living in arid and semi-arid lands, such as in Central Rift Valley of Kenya, who heavily rely on natural resources for livelihood, bear the heavy brunt of climate change impacts. This study focuses on these regions, where communities face challenges of water scarcity, erratic rainfall patterns, land degradation, increased frequency of floods and droughts. These climatic changes negatively affect crop yields, diminish animal fodder production, and reduce availability of firewood, exacerbating the vulnerability of these communities to food insecurity and economic instability. FMNR (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) is a land restoration method where farmers foster growth of native trees and shrubs on their land by selectively pruning and protecting existing vegetation. It enhances soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity while providing benefits of increased crop yields and additional income sources for farmers. Despite promotion of FMNR, a systematic presentation of evidence regarding its success in enhancing adaptation to climate change impacts in Central Rift, Kenya, has been notably absent. Using theory-based evaluation, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, transect walks, questionnaire, and documentary reviews, this study sought to assess the effectiveness of FMNR as an adaptation strategy in World Vision implementation sites within the Central Rift Valley including; Ndabibi in Nakuru; Marigat in Baringo and Ng’oswet in Elgeiyo Marakwet Counties. The study’s quantitative data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo software. The findings revealed notable improvements in forest cover with direct impacts of FMNR  in forest cover from 500 acres at baseline to 6938 acres at the end line, increased average tree cover in farmlands from 79.5% to 122.6%, and in community lands from 89.9% to 109.2%.  The indirect impacts, which may not solely be attributed to FMNR, include improved food security from 42.6% at the baseline to 73.6% at the end line, improved livelihoods by about 68% per annum, and improved capacity building/stakeholder engagement, all positively contributing to climate change adaptation. A situational analysis before the implementation of FMNR had highlighted environmental deterioration; food insecurity, increased poverty and negative effect on livelihoods. The study concludes that FMNR is an effective strategy for mitigating and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Policymakers are urged to integrate FMNR into national agroforestry and climate change policies, ensure broader adoption and long-term sustainability, while further research is needed to address existing limitations constraining the technique.