Climate variability is contributing to water-scarcity problems in Kenya and to extreme fl ooding and drought in Vietnam. This paper compares diversity-based climate adaptation approaches in current land use in the Cam Xuyen district, Ha Tinh province, Central Vietnam and in the Kapingazi river watershed in Embu district, Eastern province, Kenya, in order to understand local responses to climate variability and examine the potential for policy support of diversity management by local people. Literature reviews and trend analysis of local time series of rainfall and temperature were combined with stakeholder interviews and workshops to identify technology and policy options for dealing with current and future climate variability. At all study sites, diversity in land use at farm level and along agriculture – forestry landscape gradients was a key strategy. Policy options to support such an approach could include legalization of agroforestry in Vietnam and a combination of regulations and incentive-based approaches to reconcile household decision-making with longer term and collective actions to bene fi t landscape diversity in Kenya. Lessons learnt in both study areas about payments for environmental services can be used in policy discussions.
Publication year
2012
Authors
Hoang M H; Namirembe S; Catacutan D C; Perez-Teran A S; Nguyen H Q; Dumas-Johansen M K; van Noordwijk, M.; Öborn I
Language
English
Keywords
climate change, farming systems
Geographic
Kenya, Viet Nam
