Abstract
Climate-smart agricultural practices are critical for transforming and reorienting farmers in
response to the increasing impacts of climate change. This study analysed the determinants of
the uptake of CSA practices among cassava farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it
assessed farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, awareness and use of CSA practices, the
factors influencing uptake of CSA practices and the barriers faced by Cassava farmers. Data
were collected from 180 cassava farmers using structured questionnaires and analysed with
descriptive statistics and the binary logit model. The results showed that the average age of
farmers was 50 years, 60% were female, and 66% were married, with an average household
size of six. Farmers had, on average, 12 years of formal education and 22.5 years of farming
experience. Nearly all the Cassava farmers (96.7%) were aware of CSA practices and had
contact with extension agents. Key determinants of CSA uptake included sex, education level,
farm size, and frequency of extension contact. Major barriers included inadequate funding,
insecure land tenure, limited access to credit, poor extension coverage, and insufficient,
timely information and inputs. The study recommends that to enhance the uptake of Climate
Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices among cassava farmers in Imo State, extension services
should be strengthened to provide regular training and technical support. Farmers should
form cooperatives to enable resource sharing and better access to inputs and markets. In
addition, disseminating timely, localised climate information through accessible platforms by
Meteorological agencies, Ministries of Agriculture and Agricultural Extension agents can
help farmers make informed decisions.
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Acheampong, P., & Wheagar, S. (2024). Barriers confronting smallholder cassava
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Nabahungu, N. L., Mirali, J. C., Simbeko, G., Amato, S., Mirali, G. M., Muhindo, P. M.,
Kitangala, C., Balangaliza, F. B., Nguezet, P. D., Kintche, K., Udomkun, P.,
Mignouna, J., & Vanlauwe, B. (2025). Farmer typology and adoption of improved
cassava production technologies in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Nigeria. Retrieved on 10 April from https//nnn.ng/tag/national-boundary-commission
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Olesin, S., & Agou, G. D. (2024). Effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on
cassava farmers' output in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension,
28(1), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.27S
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South
Africa.
Agriculture,
12(5),
589-594.
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Ojo, M. P., Ayanwale, A. B., Adelegan, O. J., Ojogho, O., Awoyelu, D. E. F., & Famodimu,
J. (2024). Climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers:
A financing gap perspective. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 24,
100476-100479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100476
Okoro, E. O., Okwu-Delunzu, V. U., & Ofordu, C. S. (2020). Issues in climate smart
agriculture in southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Environment and Climate
Change, 10(9), 190-200. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i930240
Olutumise, A. I., Ekundayo, B. P., Omonijo, A. G., & Ogunniyi, M. O. (2024). Unlocking
sustainable agriculture: Climate adaptation, opportunity costs, and net revenue for
Nigeria
cassava
farmers.
Discover
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00249-8
Sustainability,
5,
67.
Oluwatimilehin, I. A., & Ayanlade, A. (2023). Climate change impacts on staple crops:
Assessment of smallholder farmers' adaptation methods and barriers. Climate Risk
Management, 41, 100542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2023.100542
Opeyemi, G., Opaluwa, H., Adeleke, A., & Ugbaje, B. (2022). Effect of climate smart
agricultural practices on farming householdsʹ food security status in Ika North East
Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food
Sciences, 19(2), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v19i2.4
Osuji, E. E., Igberi, C. O., & Ehirim, N. C. (2023). Climate change impacts and adaptation
strategies of cassava farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural
Extension, 27(2), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v27i1.4
Quarshie, P. T., Abdulai, S., & Fraser, E. D. (2023). (Re)assessing Climate-Smart Agriculture
practices for sustainable food systems outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of
Bono East Region, Ghana. Geography and Sustainability, 4(2), 112-126.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2023.02.002
Salisu, K. (2022). Barriers to the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices in the
dryland of Northern Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural
Technology, 8(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2022.0801.087
Shehu, H. (2024). Assessment of smallholder’s farmers' adoption of climate-smart agriculture
practices in Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environment
and Social Sciences, 10(2), 101-111. https://doi.org/10.56160/JAEESS/2024/10/2/010
climate smart agricultural practices on food security among farming households in
Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical, 52, e70538.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-40632022v5270538
Adeniyi, V. A., Akangbe, J. A., Kolawole, A. E., Ayeni, M. D., & Olorunfemi, D. O. (2023).
Women cassava processors' livelihood; implications for improved processing
technology
usage
in
Nigeria.
Cogent
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2191898
Social
Sciences,
9(1):76-79.
Ahaneku, C.E., Onyeagocha, S.U.O., Eze, C.C., Chidiebere-Mark, N.M., Ellah, G.O., &
Isaiah, G.I. (2019). Risks and determinants of risk management strategies among
rural-cassava based farmer in Imo State. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences,
17(2), 100-115. https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v17i2.9
Anyaegbu, C. N., Okpara, K. E., Taweepreda, W., Akeju, D., Techato, K., Onyeneke, R. U.,
Poshyachinda, S., & Pongpiachan, S. (2022). Impact of climate change on cassava
yield in Nigeria: An autoregressive distributed lag bound approach. Agriculture,
13(1), 80-86. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010080
Atta-Aidoo, J., & Antwi-Agyei, P. (2025). Climate-smart agriculture adoption in rural Ghana:
do
resource requirements matter? Journal of Agriculture, 2(1):43-51.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s44329-025-00018-6
Audu, I. A., & Hassan, C. K. (2022). Effects of climate change on cassava output in Nigeria.
Agricultural Economics and Extension Society. 7(3):34-41.
Baffour‐Ata, F., Boakye, L., Acquah, L. E., Brown, S. B., Kafui, J. D., Marfo, A. A.,
Acheampong, P., & Wheagar, S. (2024). Barriers confronting smallholder cassava
farmers in the adoption and utilization of climate‐smart agriculture in the Afigya
Kwabre South District, Ghana. Climate Resilience and Sustainability, 3(3):65-70.
https://doi.org/10.1002/cli2.77
Boudalia, S., Teweldebirhan, M. D., Ariom, T. O., Diouf, N. S., Nambeye, E., Gondwe, T.
M., Mbo'o-Tchouawou, M., Okoth, S. A., & Huyer, S. (2024). Gendered gaps in the
adoption of Climate-Smart agriculture in Africa and how to overcome them.
Sustainability, 16(13), 5539-5543. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135539
Chidiebere-Mark, N.M., & Nwaebo, C.P. (2023). Gender gap in land rights and access to
agricultural production in Okigwe Agricultural Zone, Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of
Agriculture
and
Food
https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v21i1.11
Sciences,
21(1):163-174.
Chidiebere-Mark, N.M., Ibe, G.O., Ukoha, A. and Uka N.A. (2017). State of indigenous
knowledge on climate smart agriculture in Nigeria. A paper presented at the 1st
International Conference of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
(FAVM) held at Imo State University, Owerri 4th - 6th December, 2017.
Chidiebere-Mark, N.M., Nwosu C.S., Nwankwo, O.O., Chikezie, C., Oduofor, H.U., & Ejike,
R.D. (2014). Profitability of cassava based crop farmers in Owerri Agricultural Zone
of Imo State, South-East Nigeria. Wudpecker Journal of Agricultural Research, 3(1),
10-15.
Ekanem, J. T., & Umoh, I. M. (2024). Cassava farmers’ indigenous strategies for climate
change adaptation and mitigation in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In Springer eBooks
(pp. 1–20). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98067-2_98-1
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2024). Climate-smart agriculture. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/climate-smart
agriculture/en/
Gbadebo, O. V., Oyewole, A. L., Anifowose, T. O., & Iselobhor, F. (2022). Adoption and
utilization of climate smart agricultural practices by cassava farming households in
Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 6(4),
107-111. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2022-0604-1016
Ibekwe, U.C., Orebiyi, J.S., Henri-Ukoha, A., Okorji, E.C., Nwagbo, E.C., & Chidiebere
Mark, N. M. (2012). Resource use efficiency in cassava production in South East
Nigeria. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 1(1), 16
21. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJAEES/2012/2028
Igberi, C. O., Osuji, E. E., Odo, N. E., Ibekwe, C. C., Onyemauwa, C. S., Obi, H. O., Obike
K. C., Obasi I. O., Ifejimalu A. C., Ebe F. E., Ibeagwa O. B., Chinaka I. C., Emeka C.
P. O., Orji J. E., Ibrahim-Olesin, S. (2022). Assessment of prioritized climate smart
agricultural practices and technologies of household farmers in Southeast, Nigeria.
Universal
Journal
of
Agricultural
https://doi.org/10.13189/ujar.2022.100105
Research,
10(1),
53-63.
Kundiri, M. M., Bello, O. G., Mamman, B. Y., Makinta, U., Chamo, A. M., & Kenneth, A. I.
(2022). Socio-economic determinants of adoption of improved cassava varieties
among crop farmers in ADP Zone I, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural
Economics,
Environment
and
Social
https://doi.org/10.56160/JAEESS202281001
Sciences,
8(1),
1-10.
Mashi, S. A., Inkani, A. I., & Oghenejabor, O. D. (2022). Determinants of awareness levels
of climate smart agricultural technologies and practices of urban farmers in Kuje,
Abuja,
Nigeria.
Technology
in
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102030
Society,
70,
102030.
Mbanasor, J. A., Kalu, C., Okpokiri, C., Onwusiribe, C., Nto, P., Agwu, N., & Ndukwu, M.
C. (2024). Climate smart agriculture practices by crop farmers: Evidence from south
east
Nigeria.
Smart
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2024.100494
Technology,
8,
100494.
Mbise, V. E., Sibuga, K. P., & Mtui, H. D. (2025). Field assessment of cassava plantlets
developed from low tunnel and open field nurseries. International Journal of
Vegetable Science, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2025.2452899
Nabahungu, N. L., Mirali, J. C., Simbeko, G., Amato, S., Mirali, G. M., Muhindo, P. M.,
Kitangala, C., Balangaliza, F. B., Nguezet, P. D., Kintche, K., Udomkun, P.,
Mignouna, J., & Vanlauwe, B. (2025). Farmer typology and adoption of improved
cassava production technologies in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.001
National Boundary Commission (NBC) of Nigeria (2020). Boundaries across Southeast,
Nigeria. Retrieved on 10 April from https//nnn.ng/tag/national-boundary-commission
nbc/
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), (2020). Annual abstract of statistics. Retrieved from
https//nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/annual-abstact-statistics-2020
National Population Commission (NPC), (2022). Census population and housing- 2022 Final
results. Abuja, Nigeria.
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), (2020). Drought, rainfall and flood monitoring in
South-East Bulletin 2020. Retrieved 17th October, 2023, from www.nimet.gov.ng
Njoku, C. L., Mgbeokwere, M. C., Izuogu, C. U., Olaolu, M. O., Azuamairo, G. C., Ibrahim
Olesin, S., & Agou, G. D. (2024). Effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on
cassava farmers' output in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension,
28(1), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v29i1.27S
security
Ogundeji, A. A. (2022). Adaptation to climate change and impact on smallholder farmers'
food
in
South
Africa.
Agriculture,
12(5),
589-594.
https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12050589
Ojo, M. P., Ayanwale, A. B., Adelegan, O. J., Ojogho, O., Awoyelu, D. E. F., & Famodimu,
J. (2024). Climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers:
A financing gap perspective. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 24,
100476-100479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100476
Okoro, E. O., Okwu-Delunzu, V. U., & Ofordu, C. S. (2020). Issues in climate smart
agriculture in southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Environment and Climate
Change, 10(9), 190-200. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i930240
Olutumise, A. I., Ekundayo, B. P., Omonijo, A. G., & Ogunniyi, M. O. (2024). Unlocking
sustainable agriculture: Climate adaptation, opportunity costs, and net revenue for
Nigeria
cassava
farmers.
Discover
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00249-8
Sustainability,
5,
67.
Oluwatimilehin, I. A., & Ayanlade, A. (2023). Climate change impacts on staple crops:
Assessment of smallholder farmers' adaptation methods and barriers. Climate Risk
Management, 41, 100542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2023.100542
Opeyemi, G., Opaluwa, H., Adeleke, A., & Ugbaje, B. (2022). Effect of climate smart
agricultural practices on farming householdsʹ food security status in Ika North East
Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food
Sciences, 19(2), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v19i2.4
Osuji, E. E., Igberi, C. O., & Ehirim, N. C. (2023). Climate change impacts and adaptation
strategies of cassava farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural
Extension, 27(2), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v27i1.4
Quarshie, P. T., Abdulai, S., & Fraser, E. D. (2023). (Re)assessing Climate-Smart Agriculture
practices for sustainable food systems outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of
Bono East Region, Ghana. Geography and Sustainability, 4(2), 112-126.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2023.02.002
Salisu, K. (2022). Barriers to the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices in the
dryland of Northern Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural
Technology, 8(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2022.0801.087
Shehu, H. (2024). Assessment of smallholder’s farmers' adoption of climate-smart agriculture
practices in Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environment
and Social Sciences, 10(2), 101-111. https://doi.org/10.56160/JAEESS/2024/10/2/010
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