Understanding farmer decision-making and gendered adoption strategies under climate shocks in sub-Saharan Africa

Climate change continues to affect the livelihoods and food security of vulnerable smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, where households face persistent threats from severe droughts, floods, and pest and disease outbreaks. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) emerged as a response to climate shocks and sustainable agricultural productivity. Understanding the underlying factors that shape farmers’ decision-making in the selection of climate-smart agriculture is crucial. This study examines the influence of socio-economic factors and gender on the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The data used was collected from a survey conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania involving 1,386 farming households. The study employed a multivariate probit modeling approach to assess joint decision-making across the CSA practices. Findings reveal a statistically significant negative correlation between agroecological and institutional and social support ( ρ = −0.154, p < 0.10), suggesting substitution behavior. Conversely, there was a statistically significant positive association between agroecological practices and soil and water management ( ρ = 0.425, p < 0.05) and crop and genetic improvement ( ρ = 0.387, p < 0.05), indicating a complementary relationship. Country, gender, education, access to land, inputs, decision-making power and age significantly shape CSA adoption, highlighting the socio-economic and gender effects. The results highlight the need for context-specific, gender-responsive climate resilience policy, targeted extension services, for sustainable agricultural production and livelihood.