Policy Brief No. 22 of 2022-2023 on Climate Change and Maize Production in Kenya: Adaptation Options

Abstract

Maize is the most consumed cereal in Kenya and is synonymous with food and nutrition security. However, maize yield has been on the decline over the past few years. For instance, it declined from 42.1 million bags in 2020 to 36.7 million bags in 2021, translating to 12.8% decrease in total production owing to climate-related factors such as unreliable rainfall and increase in temperatures, drought and related events. Further, maize is the most consumed crop in Kenya, and its continued decline in yield is likely to affect the consumption basket of most Kenyans, especially the poor and marginalized groups. The country has been experiencing unreliable rainfall, and this has led to deteriorating crop yield and food insecurity. Over the years, the situation has adversely affected maize yield because a significant per cent of food production in Kenya is grown under rainfed agriculture. The Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) report (2022) states that maize harvest in the marginal agricultural areas is 45-50% of the five-year national maize production average.