Examining the complementary relationships among climate change adaptation practices and smallholder maize producers’ productivity in South Africa

Climate change impacts are increasing over time; it is severely affecting farming households hence, resulting in socioeconomic problems like hunger, low productivity, and reduced income. Here, we investigated the determinants of climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) and its intensity of adoption among smallholder maize farmers in South Africa. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting 316 smallholder maize farmers across 12 villages in North West province, South Africa. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (Endogenous Switching Regression Model, Multivariate probit regression (MVP) and Poisson regression model). The results of descriptive statistics revealed that the majority (73.00%) of the household-head were married, while their mean household size, farm size, and age were 4 persons, 3.26 hectares, and 44.69 years respectively. The parameter estimates of MVP model revealed that coefficient of age of the respondents, household size, years farming, off-farm income, and access to credit were the determinants of CCAS. Additionally, main occupation, farm size and access to climate information were the factors influencing the adoption intensity of CCAS. This research concluded that mixed cropping, crop rotation, mulching and agroforestry were the major CCAS adopted by the respondents and the adoption intensity of these strategies are being influenced by age of the respondents, off-farm income, access to credit and extension service. Therefore, the research recommend policies and investment strategies tailored towards improving extension service, providing on-farm demonstration training, and disseminating information about CCAS, particularly for smallholder farmers in South Africa.