Influence of livelihood capital on the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices among farmers in Northwestern Bangladesh

Abstract While climate change emerged as a vital and daunting worldwide issue, threatening agricultural production and food security, agricultural activities themselves are also a major contributor to this problem. The food and agriculture organization (FAO) supports climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) for sustainable agricultural development amid climate fluctuations. However, adoption rates of CSAPs are low, and the role of livelihood capitals is underexplored. This study examines five livelihood capitals, weighted with entropy-TOPSIS approach, to assess their effects on CSAPs adoption using a Multivariate Probit model, by evaluating survey data from 300 farmers in Northwestern Bangladesh. Among livelihood capitals, human capital is the most influential, followed by natural, financial, social, and physical capital. Results show diverse influences: Drought-Resistant Varieties (DRV) are positively linked with human, and natural capitals, while negatively linked with financial capital. High Yielding Varieties (HYV) correlate positively with natural capital and negatively with financial capitals. Mulching (MU) is positively related to human capital and financial capital, and negatively to natural capital. Cover-Cropping (CC) shows negative significance with financial capital. Intercropping with Short Duration Vegetables (ISDV) negatively relates to human, and natural capitals, with social and financial capitals positively significant. Negative interrelationships are observed between DRV and HYV, MU and HYV, ISDV and HYV, MU and DRV, CC and DRV, and ISDV and CC, with no positive associations among CSAPs. Policy measures should aim to strengthen the livelihood capitals that facilitate CSAPs adoption, while also mitigating challenges associated with capitals showing negative impacts. Recognizing both the enabling and constraining effects of different capitals can lead to more effective strategies for building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.