Challenges and Opportunities in the Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia (original) (raw)
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International Journal of African and Asian Studies, 2020
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is one of the solutions that simultaneously address the issues of food security, climate change and agricultural productivity. Climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices have the potential of its triple potential benefits of improved productivity and high income, reduction or removal of greenhouse gases and improved household food security. The objective of this study was to examine the determinants of adoption of climate smart agricultural practices. The methodology of the study was conducted using mixed methods approaches, in which 368 randomly selected households were surveyed, 10 key informants were interviewed, and 6 focus group discussions participants were held. The analysis was based on survey data and a binary logistic regression model was used. Findings revealed that highly adopted CSA practices in the study area were integrated soil fertility management, conservation agriculture, small scale irrigation, and improved livestock feed. Factors influencing adoption of CSA practices were also explored such as household size, farming system, off-farm income, access to irrigated farm, distance to market, farm size, and access to agricultural credit. The study concludes that a large proportion of respondents were aware of most of the practices, but adoption of CSA practices examined was very low. Therefore, as a recommendation sensitization of farmers on reality of climate change and the need to adopt CSA practices towards reduction of adverse effect of climate change should continue. Policy and support program should focus on dissemination of CSA practices to a larger proportion of smallholder farmers.
Research Square (Research Square), 2024
This study aimed at identifying the status, determining factors, and challenges in adopting climate smart livestock production practices by smallholder farmers. Three-staged sampling techniques were used to select the targeted area and 233 sample smallholder farmers respondents. Data were collected mainly using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also conducted to complement the household survey data. Various descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the collected survey data. An ordered logistic regression model was used to analyze the determinant factors which affect the adoption status of the sampled smallholder farmers. The result revealed that the most adopted practices were composting (85.41%) and manure management (70.39%) while the least adopted technologies were biogas generation (3.86%) and rotation grazing (22.32%). The adoption status of the sampled smallholder farmers was also categorized into low (19.74%), medium (67.81%), and high adopter (12.45%). The high cost of improved breed, use of manure for fuel, free grazing, lack of information and awareness were the major constraints to adopting the technology. The result also revealed that education, grazing land, total livestock holding, and extension agent contact contributed significantly and positively to the adoption status, while the distance from the water source had an insignificant and negative effect on the adoption status of climate smart livestock production practices.
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2021
Climate change poses a major threat to agricultural production and food security in Ethiopia. Temperature rise and variability in rainfall patterns have had serious consequences on crop and livestock production. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is one of the solutions that simultaneously address the issues of food security, climate change and agricultural productivity. The objective of this study was to examine trends and variability of temperature and rainfall, identify local CSA practices and their implications to food security. The study was conducted using mixed methods approaches, in which 368 randomly selected households were surveyed, 10 key informants were interviewed, and 6 focus group discussions participants were held. The analysis was based on survey data and a binary logistic regression model was used. Findings revealed that highly adopted CSA practices were conservation agriculture, integrated soil fertility management, small scale irrigation, and improved livestock management. Factors determining CSA practices were also explored such as household size, farming system, off-farm income, access to irrigated farm, distance to market, farm size, and access to agricultural credit. It was evident that CSA practices had a great potential to solve challenges and highest implication to food security. The maximum and minimum annual temperature of the study area has increased by 0.98 and 0.46ºC while the trend of average annual temperature has increased by about 0.72ºC. Annual rainfall has increased significantly by 153.73 mm, in small rainy season (Belg) has decreased by 30.78 mm, and in main rainy season (Kiremt) has increased significantly by 120.96 mm in the past three decades. The study also concludes that a large proportion of respondents were aware of most of the practices, but adoption of CSA practices examined was very low. Therefore, as a recommendation, sensitization of farmers on reality of climate change and the need to adopt CSA practices towards reduction of adverse effect of climate change should continue. Policy and support program should focus on dissemination of CSA practices to a larger proportion of smallholder farmers.
Tesu Roba Guluma, 2021
Agricultural is the key source of livelihood for rural society in sub Saharan Africa; offer employment to most of the population. It is known that Agriculture sector wants suitable climatic condition. FAO (2010) introduce and define CSAP as agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience of livelihoods and ecosystems, reduces greenhouse gases (GHGs). This study is intended at identifying the factors that influence use of climate smart agricultural practices. In this regard both secondary data from various publications and primary data from a sample small-holder farmers that were gathered through structured questionnaire and analyzed. The analysis is made using both descriptive statistics and the Multinomial logit. The Multinomial logit Marginal Effect analysis result showed that Sex, Education, family size land size, on farm income ,distance from market and farm Livestock owned and Agricultural Extension Services found to be statistically significant and influence use of CSAP. Therefore, future policy should focus on reduction of the barriers to use and expand climate smart agricultural practices, adult education, improving delivery of information of CSAP to farmers, and encouraging the household to practice income diversification to increase yearly income.
Sustainability
Agriculture is a sector that is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change while contributing to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere. Therefore, applying Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices (referee hereafter as CSA technologies) that can sustainably boost productivity, improve resilience, and lower GHG emissions are crucial for a climate resilient agriculture. This study sought to identify the CSA technologies used by farmers and assess adoption levels and factors that influence them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out gather information from 384 smallholder farmers in the Great Rift Valley (GRV) of Ethiopia. Data were analyzed using percentage, chi-square test, t test, and the multivariate probit model. Results showed that crop diversification, agroforestry, and integrated soil fertility management were the most widely practiced technologies. The results of the chi-square and t tests showed that there are differences an...
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2023
Most of Kenya's population's livelihoods and agri-food systems rely on rain-fed agriculture making them vulnerable to climate change. The adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production have necessitated the promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies help guide actions needed to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security by increasing farmers' resilience to climate change. This study sought to ascertain the current state of CSA practices among Kakamega County's smallholder farmers to identify the main drivers of CSA adoption. Stratified sampling was used to select six subcounties to represent the county's various agroecological zones and regions for the research sample. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to select 428 smallholder CSA farmers of which 182 were adopters while 246 were dis-adopters. Primary data were collected using interview guides developed through the Kobo Collect Application. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical packages were used to process and analyze the data. This study established that CSA technologies in Kakamega are mainly promoted by international development partners, non-governmental organizations and research organizations. In addition, the most adopted CSA technologies were agroforestry, composting, and soil and water conservation structures, while pushpull technology, conservation agriculture, and vermiculture were the least adopted. This study, further, established that smallholder farmers' level of education, membership to a farmers' group, interaction with extension officers and farming experience influenced adoption of CSA technologies. Other factors are those that increase household productive resources, such as land ownership, household income, and access to agricultural credit. The results of this study suggest that those who promote CSA technologies, policymakers, extension service providers, and other stakeholders should take smallholder farmers' socioeconomic and biophysical factors into account when doing so.
This study aimed to investigate the extent of adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder farmers in Kwale County, Kenya, while also examining the socioeconomic factors influencing adoption, the challenges faced, and potential strategies for improvement. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research involved administering structured questionnaires and conducting semi-structured interviews with a sample of 174 farmers, achieving a robust 87% response rate. The demographic analysis revealed a predominance of male respondents (58.6%) aged between 31 and 50 years (48.9%), with a significant portion having only primary education (46.6%) and low monthly incomes (55.7% earning less than KSh 10,000). The study identified notable adoption rates for various CSA practices, with drought-resistant crops being the most widely adopted at 77.6%, followed by agroforestry (69.0%), conservation tillage (63.2%), and water harvesting (54.0%). Inferential statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, highlighted strong positive associations between CSA adoption and socioeconomic variables such as education level (r = 0.523), income level (r = 0.476), and age (r = 0.432). Qualitative data enriched the findings by emphasizing the critical role of agricultural extension services, access to information, and financial resources in facilitating or hindering CSA adoption. Farmers reported improved resilience to climate variability as a key benefit of CSA, yet expressed concerns over initial costs and skepticism regarding the immediate effectiveness of some practices. The study concluded that while there is growing recognition of the importance of CSA among smallholder farmers, significant barriers remain, including financial constraints and limited access to educational resources. Consequently, targeted recommendations were made to enhance agricultural extension services, provide financial support mechanisms, and implement awareness campaigns tailored to local needs. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Kwale County and similar regions in Kenya.
Journal of Resources Development and Management, 2015
Adverse effects of climate change and variability remain to be a major threat to smallholder farmers and rural livelihoods. It posed a challenge of developing innovative technologies to improve rural livelihoods, environmental conservation and ensuring adoption of such technologies. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is used as a mitigation and adaptation option to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and improve agricultural productivity. To achieve the desired objectives, CSA requires a complete package of practices that increase productivity and income, build resilience and reduce green gas emission. However, adoption is largely dependent on farmers’ understanding, preferences and their capacity and willingness to practice. The study explores smallholder farmers’ understanding of climate change impacts and their proclivity on climate smart agricultural practices. In engaging with smallholder farmers, a range of methods was used, including focus group discussions (FGD), key...
Research Square (Research Square), 2023
Background The environmental, economic, and social implications of climate change are anticipated to have a signi cant impact on smallholder farmers, whose way of life is heavily reliant on the environment. This study evaluates factors in uencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices and crop productivity among smallholder farmers in Nyimba District, Zambia. Data was collected from 194 smallholder farmers' households from June to July 2022 in twelve villages placed in four agricultural camps of Nyimba District. Four focus group discussions were also conducted to supplement data collected from the household interviews. A logistic regression model was used in this study to assess the determinants of crop production and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in response to changes in climate and climate variations. Propensity score matching was also performed to assess the impacts of climate-smart agriculture adoption among adopters and non-adopter farming households' crop yields in the study area. Results Results from the study logit regression model indicate that the smallholder farmer's level of education, household size, fertilizer usage, age of household head, gender, farming experience, livestock ownership, annual income, farm size, marital status of household head, and access to climate information, all affect smallholder farmers' household's climate-smart agriculture practices adoption and crop productivity. The study propensity scores matching analysis found that crop yield for smallholder farmers' climate-smart agricultural practices adopters was 20.20% higher than for non-adopters. The analysis also found that implementing climate-smart agriculture practices in the study area increases maize yield for smallholder farmers adopters by 21.50% higher than non-adopters. Conclusion This study provides direction for policymakers to strengthen farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change and guide policies through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. However, these practices and efforts are capable of lessening the adverse effects of changes in climate and improving agriculture production.