Response to climate risks among smallholder farmers in Malawi: a multivariate probit assessment of the role of information, household demographics, and farm characteristics
This article analysed why smallholder farmers fail to adopt various practices in response to climate risks
Abstract
Many smallholder farmers fail to adopt what appear to be relatively simple agronomic or management practices that can help them cope with climate-induced stressors.
This article analysed why smallholder farmers fail to adopt various practices in response to climate risks, using detailed plot-level observations and the multivariate probit model. Key findings were: access to climate information can be a major driver of the decision to adopt specific practices; farmers rely on various sources of extension information to make adoption decisions; and credit constraints are an impediment to adoption.
The results have the following policy suggestions: government must invest in information delivery and farmer education; farmers need access to climate change information; extension service needs to disseminate information on the appropriate adaptation strategies; and farmers need accessible and affordable credit markets.
This work is partly funded by the UK Department for International Development, a core donor of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
Citation
Mulwa C., Marenya P., Rahut D.B. and Kassie M. (2017) Response to climate risks among smallholder farmers in Malawi: A multivariate probit assessment of the role of information, household demographics, and farm characteristics. Climate Risk Management 16, 208–221.