ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY: THE CASE OF GIMBO DISTRICT, KAFFA ZONE, ETHIOPI

Abstract

Agriculture is a vital sector for economic development and livelihoods in developing countries, particularly in Africa. In Ethiopia, where agriculture plays a crucial role, adopting climate-smart agricultural practice is essential for improving productivity and resilience to climate change. This study was aimed at identifying determinants of climate- smart agricultural practices adoption among smallholder maize farmers and evaluating the impact of these practices on maize productivity in Gimbo District of Kaffa Zone, Ethiopia. Primary data were collected from 384 households and 776 maize plots using semi-structured questionnaires, key informants, and focus group discussions, while secondary data were gathered from district and local agricultural offices. The study employed a multinomial logit model to identify factors influencing climate-smart agricultural practices adoption and a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to assess the impact of adoption on maize productivity. The results revealed that factors such as sex, education, household size, farm size, access to climate information, and agricultural extension services significantly and positively influenced the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Conversely, age, distance to farmer training centers, average distance from home to maize plot, and fertile soil negatively impacted adoption rates in the study area. The analysis showed that adopters of climate-smart agricultural practices, including improved maize varieties, crop rotation, and intercropping experienced substantial yield increases compared to non-adopters. Notably, the full package of climate-smart agricultural practices provided the greatest yield benefit, with adopters achieving an additional 3745.11 kg/ha. The study concludes that climate-smart agricultural practices significantly enhance maize productivity and that the benefits of adoption are more pronounced among those who effectively utilize these practices. Based on the study recommendations, strengthening agricultural extension services, increasing access to education and training, improving credit facilities, and addressing geographical barriers to support broader adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices