The Contribution of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Reducing Climate-Related Risks to Rain-Fed Maize Production: Insights from Tanzania’s Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Regions

Abstract

Adaptation responses of rain-fed smallholder farming systems to climate change and variability have become more unpredictable. Semi-arid and sub-humid regions are most affected by knowledge gaps on climate change adaptation strategies. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are crucial because they ensure predictable and effective adaptation responses that reduce crop failures. To determine potential new strategies for farm-level climate change adaptation, this study examined the implications of three CSA practices on rain-fed maize production: crop diversification, intercropping, and planting date adjustment. Plot-level data were obtained from the Tanzania National Panel Survey (TNPS) throughout waves 1 (2008/2009) and 2 (2010/2011). The consistency of the adaptation responses was evaluated using test-retest reliability. The findings showed that intercropping and splitting plots to plant crops other than maize was an analogue for crop diversification and reduced variability of maize grain yields. The panel linear regression model revealed that the yields of maize grains were positively correlated with intercropping and crop diversification (plot division). Moreover, the results of the meta-analysis showed that intercropping, crop diversification, and planting date adjustments could greatly increase smallholder rain-fed maize farmers’ resistance to the effects of climate variability and change. The government and non-governmental
organizations should be encouraged to provide funding for agricultural extension education, which is a major factor in the implementation of CSA techniques.