Synergies and Trade-Offs of Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices and Mediating Factors in Enhancing Maize Yields among Smallholder Farmers in Tanzania's Semi-Arid Regions

Abstract

The impact of climate change on agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa has been significant in recent years, particularly affecting smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions in Tanzania. Although research on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices has grown, the synergies and potential trade-offs from such practices among smallholder farmers in Tanzania's semi-arid regions have received little attention. To address this, 299 households were interviewed and path analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Correlations between CSA practices used in maize farming in semi-arid areas of Tanzania were analysed as well as direct and indirect effects of access to credit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assistance, Membership in organisations, distance to market and CSA training on increasing maize yields. The results showed that access to credit, assistance from NGOs, membership in an organization, distance to market, and CSA training act as mediating factors between CSA practices and an increase in maize yield. The study found that improved varieties were positively correlated with changes in planting date, use of animal manure, minimum tillage, intercropping, mixed cropping, and livestock diversification (P<0.05). The study emphasizes the importance of implementing these practices together to generate a positive impact and increase smallholder farmers' crop yields and resilience to climate change in semi-arid regions. The study recommends that in order to increase synergies and minimize trade-offs between climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices the government and non-governmental organizations strengthen the extension system, promote access to CSA training, and make affordable credit available through financial organizations.