| dc.description.abstract | Increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events such as floods are likely to
increase the vulnerability of poor households and communities in developing countries. The
Lake Victoria basin of Kenya, specifically Budalangi and Nyando sub-counties are characterized
by frequent floods which often affect economic activities of communities residing in the region
thus increasing their vulnerability to subsequent flood events. However, the combined effect of
floods on economic value of crops, livestock and land are little understood. This hampers
appropriate adaptation strategies, resilience, climate smart agriculture and other related
intervention measures by the locals. This study sought to model the relationship between
economic value of crops, livestock and land as influenced by floods using the Ricardian Model.
Specific objectives were to estimate the effects of floods on crop yield among households living
within Nyando and Budalangi, Kenya; to model the economic effects of floods on animal
production among households living within Nyando and Budalangi, Kenya and to model the
effects of floods on the economic value of land among households living within Nyando and
Budalangi, Kenya. Across-sectional research design was adopted for this study. Data was
collected from 424 randomly selected households from the two flood prone regions using
questionnaires. The findings showed that most (59.3%) respondents were male, with 51.9% of
household members aged between 26-55 years. Most (91.4%) respondents inherited the land on
which they lived, while crop farming was the main (67.7%) source of livelihood, though most
(83.7%) households did not generate enough income for their use. Over half (59.9%) the
respondent were agro-pastoralists, while 39.2% practiced agriculture. All respondents grew food
crops on their farms, with majority (41%) growing maize. However, the food harvested in the
previous season lasted less than 3 months for most (38.5%) households. Livestock (especially
cattle) keeping was practiced by most (87.1 %) households, predominantly for food. Floods
affected 57.7% of the respondents, with livestock rearing being affected according to 95.5% of
the respondents. Upt085.2% reported losing some livestock over the last 20 years. The Ricardian
Model explained 38.6% of crops and livestock variations with respect to floods. The effect of
floods was higher in Nyando than Budalangi. Upon simulating floods effects on crops and
animal losses, the negative impacts on crops tended to be of a higher magnitude than on animals.
A tendency was observed for increased floods to be beneficial to rice and potatoes as opposed to
other crops. The Ricardian model further indicated that among the households surveyed,
production was more important in their decision-making than the flood event. Decreased flood
intensity generated a moderately positive effect on the land value, with a simulated scenario
showing a decrease in floods with an increase in land value of6% the usual price. Findings from
this study will improve scientific knowledge of the impact of floods on specific livelihood
sources of the LVB inhabitants and therefore inform specific strategies of adaptation and
mitigation. | en_US |
