Abstract
The slow and discontinuous adoption of agricultural technologies is one of the major threats to low agricultural productivity in developing countries. These actions highlight the challenges encountered in the adoption and the continuous use of sustainable land management practices in addition to the choices regarding the type used. The study investigated factors influencing the adoption decisions of smallholder maize farmers and the intensity of adoption of sustainable land management practices. Empirical data were collected from 250 farmers through interviews using a structured questionnaire. The adopter group and non-adopter group were compared using t-test and chi-square statistics, while the double hurdle with the fractional outcome response model was applied to establish the factors responsible for the adoption and the extent of use of sustainable land management practices. The results indicated that socio-economic and institutional characteristics are determining factors responsible for the adoption of sustainable land management practices and the extent of its use. The study recommended that continuous adoption and extensive use can be fostered by encouraging farmers to join a social organisation where related and relevant information on sustainable land management practices is shared through trained agricultural extension officers. Furthermore, regular training and access to credit facilities should be offered.
Highlights
The inevitable damaging impact of climate variation threatens agriculture
The study recommended that continuous adoption and extensive use can be fostered by encouraging farmers to join a social organisation where related and relevant information on sustainable land management practices is shared through trained agricultural extension officers
The average number of years spent in school was about 10 years, with the SLMP adopters indicating a mean of 11.15 years and the SLMP non-adopters a mean of 8.14 years
Summary
The inevitable damaging impact of climate variation threatens agriculture. The effects of climate change are evidenced in every nation’s economy, social activities and the entire environment. Climate change is considered a central and powerful destructive force in sustainable agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It has been noted that climate change has had a significant effect on global agriculture in the 21st century [1]. Exposure of soils to climate change results in land degradation [4]. Floods and excessive temperatures are likely to increase the risk of soil erosion, which will lead to land degradation, unless adequate measures are taken to protect and restore the soils in order to enhance food security and mitigate against the effects of climate change [5, 6]. Climate change and land degradation are considered major threats to the survival and livelihoods of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa [7]
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