Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

View Issue TOC

A Systematic Review of Climate-Smart Agriculture's Role in Household Nutrition and Health Shock Resilience in Ethiopia: An African Perspective, 2021–2026

Meklit Gebrehiwot, Department of Pediatrics, Addis Ababa University Tewodros Assefa, Department of Public Health, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18361335
Published: January 24, 2026

Abstract

This systematic literature review examines the nexus between climate change, agricultural practices, and public health in Ethiopia. It synthesises evidence from 2021 to 2026 on how Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions influence household dietary diversity and resilience to health shocks. The methodology followed PRISMA guidelines, with systematic searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online. Included peer-reviewed studies assessed CSA practices—such as drought-resistant crops, agroforestry, and soil conservation—against nutritional outcomes or health shock mitigation in Ethiopian households.

The evidence synthesis indicates that CSA adoption is consistently associated with improved food security and more diverse diets, largely mediated by increased crop yields and income stability. Several studies further suggest these benefits indirectly bolster household resilience by enhancing capacity to absorb health-related financial shocks. However, the evidence directly linking CSA to measurable health outcomes remains limited and emergent. Significant heterogeneity in intervention design and outcome measurement constrains definitive conclusions.

The review argues that integrating CSA into national agricultural and health policy offers a promising strategy for achieving co-benefits for nutrition and health system resilience within the African context. It underscores the necessity for future interdisciplinary research employing robust, longitudinal designs to quantify CSA's direct impacts on health shock recovery in Ethiopia and similar settings.

Full Text:

PDF (English (United Kingdom)) HTML (English (United Kingdom))

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

Open HTML Open PDF

How to Cite

Meklit Gebrehiwot, Tewodros Assefa (2026). A Systematic Review of Climate-Smart Agriculture's Role in Household Nutrition and Health Shock Resilience in Ethiopia: An African Perspective, 2021–2026. African Journal of Public Health and Health Systems, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025), 32-46. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18361335
EndNote (RIS) BibTeX

Keywords

Climate-smart agricultureHousehold nutritionHealth shock resilienceSub-Saharan AfricaFood securitySystematic reviewEthiopia

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)
Current Journal
African Journal of Public Health and Health Systems

References

  • Abdurezak, F., Haji, J., Jemal, K., Ahmed, B., & Sileshi, M. (2026). Adoption and intensity of climate smart agriculture practices: The case of smallholder farmers in East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Climate Smart Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csag.2026.100100
  • Adesogan, A., Gebremikael, M.B., Varijakshapanicker, P., & Vyas, D. (2025). Climate-smart approaches for enhancing livestock productivity, human nutrition, and livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries. Animal Production Science. https://doi.org/10.1071/an24215
  • Ahmed, J.M., Haji, J., Jaleta, M., & Jemal, K. (2024). Poverty and resilience impacts of conservation agriculture adoption against climatic-shocks in Eastern Ethiopia. Discover Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-024-00087-2
  • Alemayehu, S., Ayalew, Z., Sileshi, M., & Zeleke, F. (2024). The impact of climate smart agriculture practices on the technical efficiency of wheat farmers in northwestern Ethiopia. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05288-9
  • Alhassan, U., & Haruna, E.U. (2024). Rural farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does climate-smart agriculture (CSA) matter in Nigeria and Ethiopia?. Environmental Economics and Policy Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-023-00388-8
  • Aliyi Usmane, I., K. Ahmed, K., Sh. Mohammed, L., & E. Fayisa, A. (2025). Community Rehabilitation-Based and Inclusive Approaches in Climate Smart Agricultural Technology Promotion for Internally Displaced People in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture Research. https://doi.org/10.33140/jahr.08.02.09
  • Asmare, F., & Tabe-Ojong, M.P. (2025). Climate-smart agriculture and climate resilience: panel data evidence from Ethiopia. Climatic Change. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-025-04053-9
  • Bedasa, Y., Gemechu, A., & Bedemo, A. (2025). Impact of combined climate-smart agriculture practices on the technical efficiency and efficiency yield gap in Ethiopia. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31353-y
  • Engda, A., Yimer, F., Mekuyie, M., & Tadesse, M. (2025). Effect of climate change and variability-induced shocks and stresses on rural household livelihoods and their adaptation practices in West Arsi Zone, South-Central Ethiopia. Climate Services. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2025.100561
  • Feyissa, A.A., Tolera, A., Senbeta, F., & Diriba Guta, D. (2025). Adoption decisions for climate-smart dairy farming practices: Evidence from smallholder farmers in the Salale highlands of Ethiopia. Climate Smart Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csag.2024.100039
  • Gacheno, D., Seyoum, C., & Lemma, T. (2025). Impact of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAP) on small-holder farmers’ income: in Adami Tullu Jido Kombolcha district, Ethiopia. Discover Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-025-00334-0
  • Hayah, I., Ezebuiro, V., Kagame, S.P., Kuja, J., Waruhiu, C., Nesengani, L.T., Mdyogolo, S., Molotsi, A., Abechi, P., Abushady, A.M., Amor, N., Andika, B., Barakat, A., Beedessee, G., Botes, M., David, X., Ebuzoeme, N., Edea, Z., Allali, A.E., & Elekima, O.P. (2025). Unlocking the African bioeconomy and strengthening biodiversity conservation through genomics and bioinformatics. npj Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00102-9
  • Jung, D.R., & Vendrametto, O. (2025). Agroforestry for Food Security and Public Health: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040645
  • Khan, M., Zhang, Y., & Khan, S. (2025). Echoes of Survival: Climate Change Impact & Typologies of Adaptation among Vulnerable Communities toward Climate-Induced Food Insecurity in Pakistan. Research on World Agricultural Economy. https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v6i1.1106
  • Le, H.N., Sofija, E., Harris, N., Nguyen, T.A., & Phung, H. (2024). Food security in slow‐onset disasters: A policy review in Southeast Asian regions. World Medical & Health Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.604
  • Masha, M., Bojago, E., & Ngare, I. (2024). Determinants of adoption of urban agriculture (UA) as climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and its impact on food security: evidence from Wolaita Sodo city, South Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00365-5
  • Mazengiya, M.N. (2024). Review on the opportunities and challenges to implement climate smart agriculture practice in Ethiopia. Discover Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-024-00118-y
  • Mengistie, N.G. (2025). Coping with health shocks in Ethiopia: A multivariate probit analysis of household strategies. Global Health Economics and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes025210042
  • Reardon, T., Liverpool‐Tasie, L.S.O., Belton, B., Dolislager, M., Minten, B., Popkin, B.M., & Vos, R. (2024). African domestic supply booms in value chains of fruits, vegetables, and animal products fueled by spontaneous clusters of SMEs. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13436
  • Simane, B., Kapwata, T., Naidoo, N., Cissé, G., Wright, C.Y., & Berhane, K. (2025). Ensuring Africa’s Food Security by 2050: The Role of Population Growth, Climate-Resilient Strategies, and Putative Pathways to Resilience. Foods. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14020262
  • Tesema, H.A., & Mekoya, A. (2025). Climate-smart agriculture and natural forests: synergistic approaches for climate change resilience and combating hunger in Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-025-01309-2
  • Wegenast, T., Hänze, N., Haer, R., & Birulés, M. (2025). The effect of traditional agricultural practices on the food consumption of households facing extreme weather events in Tanzania. Agriculture & Food Security. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00512-1
  • Zeleke Tessera, G., & Demeke Molla, S. (2025). Impact of Climate‐Smart Crop Intensification on Rural Household Food Security in North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. Plant-Environment Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1002/pei3.70062
  • Zewude, B., Tadele, G., Engdawork, K., & Assefa, S. (2025). Exploring targeted policies and institutional frameworks to address the problem of child streetism in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejpch.v19i2.10
  • Zhao, L., Yang, M., Min, S., & Qing, P. (2025). Prediction of household food insecurity in rural China: an application of machine learning methods. The International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. https://doi.org/10.22434/ifamr1137