Building Climate-Resilient Rural Economies Through Rural Road Infrastructure: Effect of Rural Road Infrastructure on Climate Resilient Livelihood Outcomes among Small- Scale Farmers in Kenya

Abstract

The increasing impact of climate change in Africa, that is manifested through observed frequency in droughts, floods, and extreme weather events have increased the vulnerability of rural economies, especially those that depend on small-scale farming. Traditionally, rural road infrastructure was considered as a catalyst for rural development and market access. However, currently, the rural road infrastructure is recognized as an important climate resilience element. This is because roads do not just facilitate the sharing of climate-smart agricultural methods but also enhances timely responses to climatic shocks through improved mobility and enhanced access to essential services. This study explored how the rural road infrastructure can work as a conduit for improving the small-scale farmers climate resilient livelihood outcomes. This research assessed the economic effects of market costs, agricultural diversification, access to social services, and non-farm economic activities enabled by rural roads, as the key means for strengthening the adaptive capacities of small-scale farmers. It further examined how general transportation costs within the rural road sector moderate these resilience outcomes. To measure the climate resilient livelihood outcomes of small-scale farmers, the study focused on the household health, household income security, and household food security. The study found out that access to social services had a statistically insignificant effect on the three dependent measures. On the other hand, market costs had a statistically significant effect on climate resilient livelihood outcomes. Further, the findings also showed a negative relationship of non-farm activities with food security, household income, and household health.