JKUAT launches climate adaptation project to boost dairy sector

KENYA – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has launched the ADAPTiVE Project to address the impacts of climate change on Kenyan Marsabit County’s dairy sector.

The project, which is in partnership with the University of Copenhagen, KALRO, the University of Nairobi, and the Karare Women Dairy Cooperative, is designed to promote sustainable dairy farming practices and empower local communities.

Funded by Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA), the initiative aims to introduce innovative strategies that will help farmers adapt to climate change and foster long-term resilience in the region.

Marsabit County, located in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), faces significant challenges due to recurring droughts that threaten the livelihoods of its predominantly pastoralist population.

The ADAPTiVE Project will address these issues by implementing climate-resilient practices, particularly in the dairy sector.

The project’s primary focus will be on the Karare Women Dairy Cooperative, a women-led organization that provides market access for female dairy farmers.

Through this partnership, the project seeks to enhance food security, improve market access, and promote gender equality by empowering women in agriculture.

The official launch of the ADAPTiVE Project took place on December 5, 2024, during a stakeholders’ engagement forum held at Movenpick Hotel.

The event brought together key partners, researchers, and community leaders to discuss the implementation strategies and expected outcomes of the project.

JKUAT’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, expressed her optimism about the project’s potential to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural sector, which is vital to the country’s economy.

Prof. Ngumi, represented by JKUAT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Production, and Extension, Prof.

Jackson Kwanza, highlighted the project’s alignment with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and global frameworks aimed at achieving food security, gender equality, and sustainable development.

As reported by Prof. Kwanza, the project will contribute to advancing national food safety policies and addressing climate change challenges that affect local farmers.

Mr. Kasa Hussein, Marsabit County’s Director of Trade and Industry, also expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of climate-resilient interventions in safeguarding the region’s economic and social structures.

“Integrating sustainable practices and innovative solutions will unlock new opportunities for growth and help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” Mr. Hussein said.

The project’s Principal Investigator, Prof. Jørgen Dejgård Jensen from the University of Copenhagen, shared that several strategies, including scientific publications and public media engagement, will ensure the project’s success.

Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. John Kinyuru from JKUAT’s Food Science and Technology Department, emphasized the focus on sustainability, ensuring that the project’s solutions will continue to benefit Marsabit and other ASAL counties even after its completion.