Adoption levels of climate-smart agricultural practices through agricultural innovation systems among women smallholder farmers in Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change continues to threaten smallholder agriculture, yet adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices remains uneven, particularly among women farmers who often face gender-specific barriers to innovation access. Although previous studies have examined CSA adoption, limited attention has been given to adoption levels among women smallholder farmers and the AIS-related determinants shaping adoption. This study assessed the level of adoption of selected CSA practices and the determinants of adoption among women smallholder farmers within Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). A mixed-methods design was employed, involving a household survey of 278 randomly selected respondents, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. A composite adoption index based on 20 CSA practices was developed to measure adoption levels. Findings revealed substantial variation in adoption. Practices with immediate and visible benefits, such as drought-tolerant seed varieties and improved post-harvest handling, recorded relatively high adoption levels, while rainwater harvesting, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and mulching showed high non-adoption rates. Financial limitations, technical complexity, limited access to productive resources, and weak institutional linkages constrained adoption. The study concludes that strengthening AIS through improved extension services, access to finance, and institutional coordination is essential for enhancing CSA adoption among women farmers.