Abstract: Livestock feed is a key factor influencing animal production and productivity as evidenced by the increased demand for animal source foods (ASFs) to feed a growing human population in Kenya. However, there exists untapped potential of pasture commercialization and hence the need to harness the social, economic and environmental benefits in the ASALs for overall rural development. A study was conducted to characterize the existing pasture production systems in Makueni County.

Improving smallholder farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change has become a major concern of governments and development agencies. Adaptive capacity determines the inherent ability of a system to cope with vulnerability to climate change. This paper used cross sectional survey data of 737 livestock producing households to assess determinants of adaptive capacity among Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) communities in Kenya.

Key Messages
●    Consumers may avoid consuming mussels if they perceive a high risk of HAB contamination, even under government monitoring.
●    HABs have significant welfare losses for consumers, but policies to ensure food safety in seafood markets can improve social welfare.
●    Perceptions about HABs and mussel attributes play a role in explaining consumer preferences, but the link varies across contexts.