Adoption Dynamics of Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Cameroon,

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices are crucial for smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change impacts such as erratic rainfall and increased pest pressure. Northern Cameroon's diverse agro-ecological zones present unique challenges and opportunities for CSA adoption. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with survey data collected from 120 randomly selected farmers. Data analysis involved thematic content analysis for qualitative insights and descriptive statistics to quantify adoption patterns. Farmers showed significant interest in adopting CSA, particularly those who perceived higher yields and improved soil health as advantages. However, cost constraints and lack of information remain major barriers to wider adoption. Despite initial enthusiasm, the study revealed that current extension services need improvement to facilitate greater CSA uptake among smallholder farmers in northern Cameroon. Investment should be prioritised in developing low-cost CSA technologies suitable for local conditions and enhancing farmer education programmes to improve awareness of CSA benefits.