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Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries: A Review of Strategies and Impacts on Smallholder Farmers

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  • Thaddaeus Obaji Ariom

    (Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta P.O. Box 2240, Ogun State, Nigeria
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Elodie Dimon

    (Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Health and Production, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou P.O. Box 123, Benin
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eva Nambeye

    (Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ndèye Seynabou Diouf

    (Independent Researcher, Cité Isra Bel Air, Dakar 10000, Senegal
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Oludotun Olusegun Adelusi

    (Department of Animal Nutrition, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta P.O. Box 2240, Ogun State, Nigeria
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sofiane Boudalia

    (Laboratoire de Biologie, Eau et Environnement, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et Sciences de la Terre et de l’Univers, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, P.O. Box 4010, Guelma 24000, Algeria
    All authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The agricultural sector contributes approximately 10–20% of the total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Consequently, climate change can negatively affect crop yields and livestock production thus threatening food security, especially in a vulnerable continent like Africa. This review provides an overview of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and their impacts on smallholder farmers in five African countries (Algeria, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria and Zambia). A total of 164 published articles on CSA practices were reviewed. Analysis of extracted data showed that CSA practices are classified as follows: agricultural practices, restoration practices of degraded lands, forest and cropland regeneration practices, practices in the livestock sub-sector, water resources and use of weather and climate information services. Moreover, climate change effects differed alongside strategies adapted from one country to another. Adoption of these strategies was often influenced by financial means put in place by governments, the role of policy legislation, access to climate information and farmers’ intellectual level. To address this deficiency, scientific-outcome-based research should be used to increase the effectiveness of climate adaptation management programs. In conclusion, to enhance the uptake of climate-smart agricultural practices in Africa, this review recommends the use of scientific-research-driven adaptation measures and prioritization of climate change in governments’ agendas.

Suggested Citation

  • Thaddaeus Obaji Ariom & Elodie Dimon & Eva Nambeye & Ndèye Seynabou Diouf & Oludotun Olusegun Adelusi & Sofiane Boudalia, 2022. "Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries: A Review of Strategies and Impacts on Smallholder Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-32, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11370-:d:911803
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    3. Munum Hassan & Kinza Saif & Muhammad Saad Ijaz & Zouina Sarfraz & Azza Sarfraz & Karla Robles-Velasco & Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, 2023. "Mean Temperature and Drought Projections in Central Africa: A Population-Based Study of Food Insecurity, Childhood Malnutrition and Mortality, and Infectious Disease," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, February.
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    5. Rafael Landaverde & Mary T. Rodriguez & Jera Niewoehner-Green & Tracy Kitchel & Jaqueline Chuquillanqui, 2022. "Climate Change Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies: A Mixed Methods Study with Subsistence Farmers in Rural Peru," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.

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