Awareness, Adoption Intensity and Institutional Determinants of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices among Crop Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Ebonyi State's predominantly rain-fed crop production exposes farmers to rainfall variability and flooding, yet empirical evidence on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) within the State remains limited. Objective: This study assessed farmers' awareness of CSA practices, identified practices adopted, determined adoption intensity, examined associated socioeconomic and institutional factors, and identified major constraints to adoption. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 302 crop farmers across the Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo Agricultural Development Programme zones was conducted using a structured questionnaire; data were analysed with descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Overall awareness was moderate (M = 2.19, SD = 0.91). Adoption was highest for irrigation (91.2%), organic manure (87.9%) and early planting (83.8%), and lowest for agroforestry (36.8%); 74.5% of farmers recorded high adoption intensity. Extent of use was highest for early planting (M = 3.20, SD = 0.77) and lowest for agroforestry (M = 1.84, SD = 0.95). High input cost (M = 2.67), lack of awareness (M = 2.66) and poor credit access (M = 2.59) were the leading constraints. The multinomial model was significant, χ²(28) = 101.15, p < .001, Nagelkerke R² = .372; credit access was positively associated with high adoption intensity (OR = 9.56, p < .001), while association membership was negatively associated (OR = 0.42, p = .035). Conclusion: Current approaches appear more successful at encouraging simpler, low-cost practices than at facilitating systemic integration of technically demanding ones, underscoring the need to address financial and informational constraints. Unique Contribution: The study contributes empirical evidence to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), informs state-level adaptation planning and extension targeting, and integrates the Diffusion of Innovations with the Theory of Planned Behaviour in explaining adoption intensity in sub-Saharan Africa. Key Recommendation: Extension agencies should establish demonstration plots within existing farmer groups that bundle widely adopted practices with underutilised ones such as agroforestry, while policymakers link microfinance schemes to registered farmers' associations to reduce input costs and expand credit access.