The target area is broadly Western Kenya , popularly known as Lake Victoria Basin or Lake Region. For the purpose of this Handbook the region is represented by Bungoma, Kakamega and Siaya Counties . Ecologically the region ranges from Upper Highlands (and Tropical Alpine zone) in the northern parts of Bugnoma County to Lower Midlands in the southern parts of Siaya County. The counties of this region share social and economic interests, as demonstrated by the formation of the Lake Region Economic Block or LREB. The Lake Region has significant agricultural potential attributed to large expanses of fertile, arable land as well as healthy rainfall levels and patterns, although climate change projections show future negative impacts on rainfall in the area

Source: Author construction

 Generally, the region still has large tracts of fallow, arable land suitable for intensive agricultural activity, especially if supported by irrigation. Currently, the dominant food crops are maize, rice, potato, tomato, common bean and sorghum. The main impediments to the optimum agricultural productivity in the region include subsistence farming rooted in low levels of input among farmers as well as inadequate use of modern farming methods. These impediments are related to the fact that most agricultural activity occurs on small farm holdings that limit yields.

ACCI – Adaptation to Climate Change and Insurance (Project). Climate Change Impacts on Crop Production in Busia and Homa Bay Counties, Kenya. GIZ/ICRAF

Sources: County CIDPs 2018 – 2022 (Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya)