The Role of Agriculture in Refugee Livelihoods: A Case Study of Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Turkana West Sub County, Kenya

This study was meant to assess the role of agriculture in the livelihoods of refugees in Kalobeyei settlement in Turkana West Sub County in Kenya.The study was anchored on three objectives which encompass the promotion of the viability of agriculture production, linking agriculture to markets, integrating Agri-nutrition strategies into agricultural livelihoods, and policy support in displacements.The study employed two research designs, i.e., exploratory for in-depth analysis of the study topic since limited research is done on it, and descriptive research design to help in the measurement of key study variables.A mixed methods approach was employed to strengthen the mobilization of qualitative and quantitative data to fulfill all the segments of the research investigation.The theoretical framework is based on the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, a social science philosophy invented in 1965 to help increase the adoption and replication of the best technologies that can also improve agriculture and uptake of solutions in displacement settings.The study respondents include household farmers, referred to as primary participants, and workers of government and civil society, referred to as secondary participants.From a sampling frame of 200 model farmers in Kalobeyei settlement, the sample was computed statistically using a confidence level of 95%, a margin of error of 5%, and a response rate of 80%, leading to a primary participants sample of 111 persons obtained randomly from the sampling frame.10 civil society organizations and government departments were involved in the study, and 2 experts from each were purposefully selected, making a total of 20 people become secondary study participants.The main study findings include the potential of agriculture in the Kalobeyei settlement.However, harsh weather and limited essential factors of production, mainly water, hinder production and season-long farming in the area.Since the market is increasing, the competitiveness of local farmers and entrepreneurs would help them secure substantial market share and increase profitability and sustainability of agricultural livelihoods.Agri-nutrition is a crucial component of the agrifood system of the refugees and host communities in the displacement.Training and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) can empower community efforts to become resilient and self-reliant.In refugee settings, the Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (KISEDP), Socioeconomic Hubs for Integrated Refugee Inclusion in Kenya (SHIRIKA Plan), Turkana County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), and Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) are the main policy frameworks applied in the Turkana refugee context to enhance better agricultural livelihoods, trade and nutrition.Increased farmer training, social mobilization and marketing, improved access to production inputs, making agricultural livelihoods season-long, effective management of risks, enhancing market functionality and access, and consolidating self-reliance strategy are the key recommendations for developing and sustaining agricultural livelihoods in Kalobeyei.