Determinants of adoption and intensity of use of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder leafy vegetable agripreneurs in semi-arid central Tanzania

Abstract

The adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices is essential for enhancing agricultural resilience and productivity in semi-arid regions. This study examines the determinants of CSA adoption and intensity of use among smallholder leafy vegetable agripreneurs in semi-arid central Tanzania. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 385 farmers in
Dodoma City and Singida Municipality through structured interviews. The study employs a double hurdle model to separately analyze adoption decisions and intensity of use. Findings indicate that CSA adoption is influenced by land tenure security, market access, and extension services, with farmers who rent or own land more likely to adopt CSA than those relying on family-owned land. Gender disparities were observed, with male farmers showing higher adoption intensity, particularly for capital-intensive practices such as agroforestry and drip irrigation. Additionally, smaller landholders exhibited greater CSA uptake, driven by the need to maximize productivity. However, high costs and technical complexity limit the adoption of certain CSA practices. The study highlights the necessity of targeted policy interventions, including enhanced financial accessibility, land tenure reforms, and improved extension services, to promote CSA adoption. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on CSA adoption in climatevulnerable regions and inform policy strategies for sustainable agricultural transformation.