Towards a Future Without Vanishing Food. An Interdisciplinary Answer to Minimize Locust-Induced Crop Losses in Kenya.

Abstract

The Horn of Africa and surrounding countries are currently experiencing one of the worst desert locust outbreaks of the last decades, risking mass starvation of African citizens. One of the countries affected is Kenya, where up to 100% of all crops are expected to be lost, leaving farmers behind without any food or income. Since millions of livelihoods are at stake, effectively addressing this locust plague crisis and decreasing future risks is critical. In order to do so, this thesis aims to answer the following question: “How can the appropriate measures be implemented to sustainably minimize crop loss due to locust plagues in the coming planting seasons in Kenya as effectively as possible?” This thesis conducts an interdisciplinary research process to investigate different components of the locust crisis and its solutions. First, a chapter by Governance for Sustainable Development (GfSD) shows that the current locust policy is not focused enough on Kenya’s specific context and resources, and that the policy needs to be improved with sustainable landscape adjustments. Second, the Gender Studies (GS) chapter indicates that development organizations and Kenyan women need to work together in the locust crisis to provide structural policy changes specified towards women, the most vulnerable group in this crisis. Finally, the chapter by Politics, Philosophy and Society (PPS) reveals that the locust crisis can cause policy change, but only if scientists and government officials cooperate and present the needed policy comprehensively and as not shaking up the existing power relations. These different insights were then integrated to create a more comprehensive understanding. To do so, common ground was created for the main components and identified conflicts between the disciplinary insights. As a next step, the more comprehensive understanding was formulated, providing our answer to the research question. This answer highlights that appropriate measures must be effective on the long term and tailored towards Kenya’s specific context. Also, the measures must match with the needs and abilities of Kenyan women. The most important actors in the implementation of these measures must be the Kenyan government, supported by international organizations in cooperation with Kenyan women. However, other actors are critical to ensure that the government will correctly implement appropriate measures. Only in this way can long-term effective action be realized for Kenya to address the locust crisis.