Demonstrating strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate change

The project in Makueni District, Kenya, employs a multi-pronged approach to climate adaptation, including the use of drought-resistant crops, sand dams for water access, and micro-credit for income diversification. Led by the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) as part of the broader ACCESA regional project, the initiative aims to integrate these local adaptation measures into national sustainable development policies.

• The project implements several technical and agronomic strategies to reduce farmer vulnerability, including the use of fast-maturing and drought-resistant crop varieties, training in crop husbandry and pest control, and the development of a Farmer’s Handbook based on 40 years of local weather data to guide planting under different weather scenarios.
• Water security is addressed through the construction of sand dams, shallow boreholes, and drip irrigation systems, which allow farmers to grow vegetables for longer periods during the dry season.
• Economic resilience is fostered by providing five self-help groups with training in business plan development and access to a merry-go-round micro-credit scheme to fund income-generating activities like producing high-value vegetables and tree seedlings.
• The project seeks to scale local successes into national policy by engaging district and national policy-makers, identifying the need to expand drought-tolerant seed distribution networks and improve agricultural extension capacity across Kenya.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Demonstrating strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate change. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/preparing_for_climate.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Demonstrating strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate change. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/preparing_for_climate.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Demonstrating strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate change |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/preparing_for_climate.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentnddemonstrating, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Demonstrating strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate change}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/preparing_for_climate.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }