Climate-Smart Agriculture Emerges as Key Strategy to Enhance Resilience and Productivity for Smallholder Farmers

Strategic Insights -

Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, particularly for smallholder farmers in dryland regions. A recent study by researchers at Egerton University highlights the importance of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in enhancing resilience, productivity, and sustainability. The study examines the factors influencing the adoption of four interdependent CSA practices among smallholder maize farmers in North East District, Botswana. The research concludes that targeted and integrated policy interventions are essential to scaling CSA adoption in dryland, resource-constrained farming systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that eleven out of fourteen explanatory variables significantly influenced the adoption of CSA practices, including education, farming experience, CSA training, farm size, livestock ownership, group membership, extension services, market access, land tenure, and access to climate information.
  • The factors influencing CSA adoption are not uniform and vary significantly across practices, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions.
  • Enhancing tenure security, promoting farmer education and training, improving access to timely climate information, and strengthening market linkages are essential strategies for scaling CSA adoption.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of integrated policy interventions that consider the diverse drivers of adoption.
  • This research aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders about the determinants of CSA adoption in dryland, resource-constrained farming systems.

Statistics:

  • 384 smallholder maize farmers were selected through a multi-stage sampling approach for data collection.
  • The study applied a multivariate probit (MVP) model to account for interdependence in adoption decisions.
  • The results indicate that 11 out of 14 explanatory variables included in the model significantly influenced the adoption of CSA practices.
  • The study reveals that 60% of the farmers in the sample reported adopting at least one CSA practice.
  • 80% of the farmers reported facing challenges in accessing timely climate information.

Sources:

  • "Determinants of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder maize farmers in North East District, Botswana." Discover Agriculture, 2025, 3(1): 1-19. (DOI: 10.1007/s44279-025-00293-6)
  • NewsRx. Data on Agriculture Detailed by Researchers at Egerton University (Determinants of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder maize farmers in North East District, Botswana). Education Letter. September 3, 2025; p 60.