Climate-smart agriculture and household food security: the case of smallholder farmers in semi-arid Tanzania

Abstract Smallholder farmers in the semi-arid districts of Kongwa and Chamwino, Tanzania, are increasingly vulnerable to food insecurity due to the escalating impacts of climate change. This study examined the association between climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption and food security using survey data from 380 households. The findings indicate that manure application, drought-tolerant seeds, and tree intercropping are the most widely adopted CSA practices, although the adoption rate declines as adoption intensity increases: approximately 25% of households adopt only one practice, while fewer than 5% implement six. CSA adoption was associated with higher dietary diversity (HDDS), improved food consumption scores (FCS), and lower household food insecurity access scores (HFIAS) and reduced coping strategies index (rCSI). CSA adoption was also associated with higher farm income, with greater adoption intensity amplifying both food security and income benefits. Household characteristics, including education, gender, off-farm income, asset ownership, and access to extension services, were linked to variations in adoption and outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of integrated CSA strategies to support food security and livelihoods. Policies promoting CSA intensification, addressing socio-economic barriers, strengthening extension services, and targeting gender disparities can enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of CSA adoption in semi-arid Tanzania.