Understanding the farmers' choices and adoption of adaptation strategies, and plans to climate change impact in Africa: A systematic review

The study evaluates the farmers' choices and adoption of adaptation measures and plans by smallholder farmers to reduce the effects of climate change on their farming activities. We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. We found 66 associated studies to understand farmers' adaptation measures to climate change impacts in Africa. The paper summarizes four categories, including i) crop varieties and management; ii) water and soil management; iii) financial schemes, migration, and culture; and finally, iv) agriculture and weather services. The findings revealed that majority of studies identified crop diversification (51.5%), planting drought-tolerant varieties (45%), changing planting dates (42%), and planting early maturing crops (22%) as dominant strategies. These adaptation strategies are a welcome development and may be beneficial for responding to the impacts of climate change. However, they might not be effective during times of more extreme climate changes in the coming decades. Hence, more transformative changes, such as building more infrastructures for irrigation, promoting crop insurance, using improved varieties, and increasing opportunities for livelihood diversification, should be considered in addition to the existing adaptation strategies and potentially contributes towards SDG 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger).

Automated summary

The study evaluates the choices and adoption of adaptation measures by smallholder farmers to reduce the effects of climate change on their farming activities. It summarizes four categories of adaptation strategies based on a systematic review of associated studies, including crop varieties and management, water and soil management, financial schemes, migration, and culture, and agriculture and weather services. The findings suggest that while current strategies such as crop diversification and planting drought-tolerant varieties are effective, more transformative changes, such as infrastructure development and livelihood diversification, should be considered for future extreme climate changes.