Determinants of the Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Siyadebrina Wayu District, North Shewa, Ethiopia

Tekeste Kifle

doi:10.7176/jaas/68-08

Abstract

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. Keywords: Climate Smart Agriculture, Adoption, Determinants, Food security, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/68-08 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Highlights

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy
This paper aims to bridge the information gap on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) adoption in small-scale agriculture by assessing the factors affecting the level of adoption of CSA practices by small-scale farmers, in Siyadebrina Wayu district, Ethiopia
The results showed that there were significant differences with regards to explanatory variables such as household size, farming system, farm income source, off-farm income, farm size, access to irrigated farm, distance to market, access to extension service, and access to agricultural credit

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. This particular sector determines the growth of all other sectors and the whole national economy. Crop production makes up 60 percent of the sector’s outputs, whereas livestock accounts for 27 percent and other areas contribute 13 percent of the total agricultural value added. The sector is dominated by small-scale farmers who practice rain-fed mixed farming by employing traditional technology, adopting a low input and low output production system. The land tilled by the Ethiopian small-scale farmer accounts for 95 percent of the total area under agricultural use and these farmers are responsible for more than 90 percent of the total agricultural output. Agriculture accounted for 49% of GDP, 85% of exports, and 85% of employment (UNDP 2016)

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