Agro Bali: Agricultural Journal
Vol 9, No 1 (2026)

Utilization of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices Among Rural Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Friday Ogar Idiku (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
Emmanuel Ekpo Archibong (2Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
Ekpenyong Nsa Essien (2Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
Victoria Francis Ediene (3Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
Emmanuel Ohara Eremi (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria)
Comfort Felix Aya (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Apr 2026

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria. This study assessed the utilization of Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices by describing the socio-economic characteristics of rural farmers, identifying their sources of information on CSA, documenting CSA practices currently adopted, and examining the constraints hindering widespread utilization. The key findings are that the majority of respondents were male (59.6%) and youths aged 20–35 years (59.6%), with most being married (59.6%) and having small households (79.8%). Although many earned a modest income (₦150,000–₦250,000 annually). A majority lacked access to credit (82.6%), which is a major limitation to CSA investment. CSA information access shows that Radio/TV (60.6%) was the main information source, and only 21.1% received CSA information from extension agents. CSA adoption and duration indicated that conservation agriculture was the most adopted practice (68.8%), and the majority (62.3%) had adopted CSA practices within the last two years, indicating relatively recent exposure while motivations for CSA adoption were improved yield (58.7%), followed by reduced cost (27.5%) and improved soil fertility (13.8%). The challenges to CSA adoption were a lack of technical knowledge (55.1%) and limited access to credit (27.5%) as dominant constraints. However, education (p=0.045, r=0.654) and sex (p=0.036, r=0.560) were significantly related to adoption of CSA practices. Similarly, social media (p=0.007, r=0.429) had a strong, positive relationship with utilization of CSA practices, while Radio/TV (p=0.062, r=0.401), though not too significant, but the positive value, indicates their importance. Therefore, CSA practices and interventions should be holistic to transform agricultural development.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

Agro

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Agro Bali: Agricultural Journal is an information media that contains articles from research, theoretical studies, and scientific writings on agriculture especially agrotechnology i.e.: agronomy, horticulture, plant breeding, soil sciences, plant protection, and other pertinent field related to ...