Factors influencing farmers adoption of climate smart agriculture to respond climate variability in Siyadebrina Wayu District, Central highland of Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is one of the solutions that simultaneously address the issues of climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as food security. This study examines determinants of CSA practices and status adoptions in Siyadebrina Wayu Distract. For this purpose, mixed methods were applied. Accordingly a questionnaire survey, key informant interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data from various sources. Binary logistic regression and descriptive statistic were applied to analyze the quantitative data collected from 368 randomly selected sample households. Findings revealed integrated soil fertility management, crop diversification, crop rotation, and intercropping found to be highly adopted CSA practices in the study area. Factors including farming system, farm size, access to irrigated farm, access to extension service, distance to market places, and access to weather information were identified as determinants for the CSA practices. The result shows that though respondents’ participation was encouraging, the rate of adoption of CSA was low. Therefore, we suggest that the extension program should give attention for the introduction of context and site specific CSA technologies and support farmers with relevant skill and knowledge training as well as input provisions. Further, policy and support programs should also focus on dissemination of CSA best practices and lessons learnt elsewhere to smallholder farmers.