Adaptation Technologies to Climate Change in Africa : A technographic analysis of the Tradeoff Analysis model for smallholder farmers in Kenya

Adaptation technologies to climate change in African Agriculture, is a study of smallholder farmers in Kenya who perceive local micro-climate change as a reality. The consequences are decreased agricultural productivity impacting negatively on food security and adaptation capacity. Their adapting practices are socially embedded in their livelihood strategies. Their adaptation practices are compared with a scientific practice of Tradeoff Analysis (TOA) model, testing technologies in potato and sweet potato production for their economic, environmental and policy sustainability. The comparison of the two gives synergies, diverging points and trade offs which demonstrate the need and the value of integrating the two institutional frameworks through the approach of Social Shaping of Technology (SST). The study contributes to adaptation science by outlining the adaptation activities on the play ground of the smallholder farmers in Africa, analyzing the mode of integrating them with scientific modeling for future anticipatory, planned and public adaptation. The integration will facilitate adequate development and deployment of adaptation strategies for current and future climate change.