Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices and Their Economic Implications in Large and Small Ruminant Enterprises in Koinadugu District, Northern Sierra Leone

This study assessed the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural practices and their economic implications among livestock farmers in Koinadugu District, Northern Sierra Leone. A mixed-method approach employing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 200 livestock farmers through multi-stage sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The findings revealed that farmers were predominantly young (40.0% aged 20-30 years) with equal gender participation (50.0% male, 50.0% female), and 76.5% had some formal education. Farmers perceived significant climate change impacts, with 94.5% reporting changes in seasonal patterns including prolonged dry seasons, reduced harmattan periods, and warmer harmattan seasons. Livestock smart technology was the most adopted Climate-Smart Agricultural practice, while energy/carbon smart technology was the least adopted. Hypothesis testing confirmed that income and education significantly influenced CSA adoption (p < 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated that awareness of CSA (β = 0.281, p < 0.001), access to extension services (β = 0.245, p < 0.001), technology utilization (β = 0.221, p < 0.001), and adoption of CSA practices (β = 0.312, p < 0.001) significantly enhanced economic performance, collectively explaining 49.1% of its variation. Major constraints included poor access to climate adaptation strategies (100.0%), the tedious nature of CSA strategies (97.0%), and difficulties in feed preparation (100.0%). The study concludes that enhancing farmer education, strengthening extension services, improving access to information through radio and mobile phones, and addressing economic constraints through credit mechanisms are critical for promoting CSA adoption and improving the livelihoods of livestock farmers in Sierra Leone.