Agriculture Ecological Zones

AEZ I: Humid/High Potential Zone Altitude : >1800 meters above sea level Rainfall : >1000 mm/year Climate : Cool and wet Crops : Tea, coffee, potatoes, maize Livestock : Dairy cattle Location : Central Kenya highlands, parts of Western and Rift Valley highlands 2. AEZ II: Sub-Humid Zone Altitude : 1200–1800 meters Rainfall : 850–1000 mm/year Climate : Moderate Crops : Maize, beans, wheat, horticulture Livestock : Dairy, small ruminants Location : Lower slopes of Mount Kenya, Kisii, Kericho 3. AEZ III: Semi-Humid to Semi-Arid (Transitional) Zone Altitude : 900–1200 meters Rainfall : 700–850 mm/year Climate : Warm and drier Crops : Sorghum, millet, maize Livestock : Mixed farming, poultry Location : Parts of Eastern and Southern Rift 4. AEZ IV: Semi-Arid Zone Altitude : 600–900 meters Rainfall : 450–700 mm/year Climate : Hot and dry Crops : Drought-resistant crops like cassava, green grams Livestock : Goats, sheep, camel, and zebu cattle Location : Parts of Eastern Kenya (e.g., Makueni, Kitui) 5. AEZ V: Arid Zone Altitude : <600 meters Rainfall : 300–450 mm/year Climate : Very hot and dry Crops : Minimal cultivation Livestock : Nomadic pastoralism—camels, goats Location : Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo , Garissa 6. AEZ VI: Very Arid Zone Rainfall : <300 mm/year Livelihoods : Mostly pastoralism and food relief Environmental Conditions : Harsh, with limited water sources Location : North-Eastern Kenya 7. AEZ VII: Desert Zone Rainfall : <200 mm/year Use : Barely habitable, used for wildlife and occasional grazing Location : Parts of Northern and North-Eastern Kenya ? Use in Planning and Climate Resilience These zones: Help inform sustainable land use Guide climate adaptation and drought response planning Define appropriate interventions for agriculture and livestock Are critical in evaluating food systems like pastoral dairy chains in areas like Marsabit , which lies mainly in AEZ V and VI.