The Impact of climate-smart agriculture practices on urban farming yields and food security in Harare

Abstract

Urban agriculture in Harare faces numerous challenges including climate variability, resource constraints, and limited access to agricultural support. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices offer potential solutions by enhancing resilience, productivity, and sustainability. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of CSA adoption and its effects on urban farming and food security in Harare. It focuses on four key objectives: assessing the prevalence of CSA adoption, identifying key CSA practices, determining factors affecting CSA adoption, and evaluating the impact of CSA on household food security. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 275 urban farmers across various neighbourhoods in Harare. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 275 urban farmers. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, focusing on farming practices, CSA adoption, production levels, and food security. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, t-tests, and logistic regression models, were used to analyze the data. Prevalence of CSA Adoption: The study found that 60.7% of farmers were aware of CSA practices, and 83.3% had received agricultural training. Key CSA practices such as crop rotation (71.7%), intercropping (73.1%), mulching (93.5%), and water conservation (86.2%) were widely adopted. Key CSA Practices: The most common CSA practices included mulching, water conservation, and the use of weather information. However, only 36.4% of farmers used organic fertilizers. Factors Affecting CSA Adoption: Major challenges to CSA adoption included lack of knowledge (61.8%), limited access to agricultural officers (21.1%), and lack of resources (17.1%). Key improvements needed were more CSA training (57.1%) and financial support (33.5%). Impact on Food Security: CSA adopters had significantly higher production levels of cereals and legumes compared to non-adopters. The logistic regression model showed that CSA adopters were 4.8 times more likely to be food secure. Other significant factors included farm size, frequency of agricultural extension services, and household demographics. The study concludes that CSA practices significantly enhance food security among urban farmers in Harare. Adoption of these practices leads to higher yields and improved resilience to climate variability. However, challenges such as lack of knowledge and resources hinder widespread adoption. The recommendations are, Increase the availability and accessibility of training programs to enhance CSA adoption. Strengthen the frequency and quality of extension services to support urban farmer’s effectively. Provide financial assistance and access to affordable farming inputs and technologies. Develop initiatives to improve market access for urban farmers. Incorporate urban agriculture into broader urban planning and development policies.