Climate-Smart Agriculture Adoption by Rural Extension Services in The Gambia: A Performance Assessment

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a set of practices designed to enhance agricultural productivity while mitigating climate change impacts. In The Gambia, rural extension services play a crucial role in disseminating CSA methods among smallholder farmers. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data on farmer participation was employed. Data collection included surveys and focus group discussions. Rural extension services reported significant challenges in reaching farmers, particularly in remote areas. Despite these obstacles, CSA adoption rates reached 45% among surveyed farmers, with a notable increase in crop yields and soil health improvements observed. While the initial phase of CSA promotion by rural extension services has shown promising results, ongoing efforts are needed to address geographical disparities and enhance farmer engagement. Rural extension services should prioritise outreach strategies tailored for different regions and farmer preferences. Additionally, providing training programmes on CSA methods could further boost adoption rates.