Institutional Drivers of Climate-Smart Agriculture Adoption Among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Sierra Leone

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with the likelihood and intensity of climate-smart agriculture adoption among 385 smallholder rice-farming households in Moyamba, Kambia, and Kenema districts of Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design combined a household survey with focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Binary logistic regression estimated whether a household adopted any of 12 climate-smart practices, while negative binomial regression modelled the number of practices adopted. Training, group membership, credit access, frequent extension contact, secure land tenure, and strong climate concern were positively associated with adoption. Training showed the largest institutional association with adoption likelihood (odds ratio 2.50) and adoption intensity (incidence-rate ratio 1.49). Group membership was also influential (odds ratio 2.10; incidence-rate ratio 1.41). Robustness checks across count and linear specifications produced consistent directions and significance patterns. The findings indicate that adoption is shaped less by fixed household characteristics than by farmers access to knowledge, finance, organizations, and secure conditions for investment. Policies that combine training, extension, group-based delivery, credit, and tenure support are therefore more likely to deepen adoption portfolios than isolated technology promotion.