The Collective Learning Community for Climate Change Adaptation in Mauche Ward of Njoro Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Participatory innovation in agriculture is key in enhancing food security in Sub-Sahara Africa. The Collective Learning Community (CLC) concept entails bringing people together for shared learning, discovery and generation of knowledge. It enhances formation of networks to promote continuous interaction and communication. Farmers in Mauche Ward of Njoro Sub-County depended on rain fed agriculture vulnerable to rainfall variability and the negative effects of climate change. Linkages needed for innovation to support growth and development in the potato value chain were generally weak; hence inadequate clean potato seed and lack of market access were major challenges to potato production A Collective Learning Community (CLC) comprising of farmers and other potato value chain actors was established to exchange knowledge and collaboratively innovate for climate change adaptation. The Net-Map toolbox was used to assess the links between actors based on exchange of information, sharing of resources and influence. This enabled the CLC to clarify roles and power relations among the actors; and to identify weak points in the network that needed addressing. Membership to the CLC enabled farmers to access climate change adaptation technologies, clean potato seed and negotiate for a better potato price. The study recommends collective learning, positive selection for clean seed production, group marketing of potato and involving of local leadership in climate change adaptation initiatives for sustainability. Keywords Adaptation, Climate Change, Collective Learning, Potato, Smallholder