Assessing the Impact of Integrated Climate-Smart, Regenerative, and Knowledge-Based Agricultural Practices on Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience Across the African Union

Climate change poses escalating risks to agricultural sustainability and food security in Africa, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers who lack adaptive resources. This study critically assesses the effectiveness of integrated Climate-Smart, Regenerative, and Knowledge-Based Agricultural (CS-RKBA) practices in enhancing resilience among smallholder farmers within the African Union. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we combined quantitative analyses of agricultural productivity indicators with qualitative insights from case studies in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya. Key performance metrics included crop yield stability, soil organic carbon enhancement, water-use efficiency, and income diversification. Results demonstrate that CS-RKBA practices significantly bolster ecological and economic resilience by improving soil health, stabilizing yields under climatic stress, and expanding livelihood options. However, adoption is constrained by policy fragmentation, inadequate financing, and limited knowledge dissemination. The study recommends harmonized policy frameworks, targeted capacity building, and regional knowledge platforms to scale up CS-RKBA practices and strengthen adaptive capacities across diverse agro-ecological zones in Africa.