Evaluating the Adoption Intensity of Climate Smart Agri-Practices by Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province

Abstract

Climate change poses substantial risks to smallholder farmers in Africa, leading to poor productivity and food insecurity. To combat these challenges, farmers are adopting Climate-Smart Agri-practices and productive food systems. However, low adoption persists due to socioeconomic and institutional barriers. Hence, this study seeks to investigate the factors influencing the adoption intensity of climate-smart Agri-practices by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, by collecting data from 384 farmers through a semi-structured questionnaire and employing multi-stage sampling. The descriptive statistics showed male dominance, with an average age of 47 years and a family size of four. Membership in farm organisations and access to extension services facilitated adoption. Farmers use techniques such as mulching, crop rotation, irrigation, conservation agriculture, and organic and drought-tolerant crop varieties to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Inferential analysis revealed that adoption correlates with age, farm size, credit access, education level, and experience with climate change. In contrast, the truncated regression highlights the influence of education level, off-farm income, proximity to markets, and family size. The study recommends that policymakers increase the number of extension officers in rural areas to educate farmers through demonstrations and aid the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Moreover, addressing socioeconomic barriers and offering incentives are crucial for transforming smallholder farming amidst climate change.