The impact of climate-smart agriculture technology adoption on the welfare of smallholder vegetable farmers in Eswatini

Abstract

The impact of climate change is already evident in the Kingdom of Eswatini and the key sectors of its economy, especially food security, agriculture, water, and health. The country frequently experiences droughts, erratic rainfall, and prolonged dry spells, which disrupt agricultural production and exacerbate food insecurity due to declining yields and farm incomes. In Eswatini, government and development partners have increasingly prioritised CSA within national agricultural and climate adaptation strategies, recognising its potential to address climate-induced risks and improve rural livelihoods. The objective of the study was to analyse the impact of CSAT adoption on the welfare of smallholder vegetable farmers. The study used a factorial research design to determine the impact of climate-smart agriculture technology on the welfare of smallholder vegetable farmers. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 365 vegetable farmers. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using propensity score matching. The results on the impact of CSAT adoption on welfare indicate that the adoption of CSAT had a positive impact on both food security status and income of the smallholder vegetable farmers. The study recommends that more training be undertaken to sensitize farmers to adopt more CSAT and increase awareness of CSAT. It is recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) improve its extension services, capacitation of farmers through CSA workshops, and diversify CSA interventions to other enterprises.