Adoption Analysis of Climate-Resilient Agricultural Techniques by Smallholder Farmers in Malawi's Central Region

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture in Malawi's Central Region, affecting smallholder farmers who rely on traditional farming practices. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall have led to decreased crop yields and increased vulnerability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a survey with structured questions complemented by semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from 200 randomly selected smallholder farmers using a stratified random sampling technique. Farmers showed varying levels of interest in adopting climate-resilient techniques; about 45% reported willingness to adopt these practices, primarily driven by perceived benefits such as increased yields and reduced input costs. Barriers included lack of knowledge and financial constraints. The study highlights the importance of education and supportive policies for promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Malawi's Central Region. Policy makers should invest in farmer training programmes to enhance understanding of climate-resilient techniques, while financial institutions could consider offering more affordable loans to facilitate adoption.