The characteristics distinguishing CSA adoption in Iran: The case of Sistan and Baluchistan province

Climate change in developing countries has prompted policymakers to develop approaches compatible with changing climatic conditions, such as Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). However, despite the promotion of CSA practices by agricultural institutions, many farmers do not adopt them. This research aimed to identify the characteristics distinguishing CSA adopters from non-adopters among farmers in the Sistan Plain, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. A survey method was employed, using a structured questionnaire based on six categories of variables: socio-demographic factors, psychological factors, farm characteristics, policy factors, systemic factors, and technology/practice features. The target population consisted of 6000 farmers. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used, and 322 valid questionnaires were collected. The results of discriminant analysis showed that legal framework, trust, ease of use, marketing and communications, trust in verified impact, infrastructure availability, financial support, and extension and advisory services had the most significant effects in distinguishing adopters from non-adopters. The discriminant model correctly classified 81.4% of the farmers into the two groups. Furthermore, non-adopters had lower levels of trust, infrastructure availability, extension services, financial support, and perception of the legal framework compared to adopters.