A scoping review of adoption of climate-resilient crops by small-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Climate-resilient crops and crop varieties have been recommended as a way for farmers to cope with or adapt to climate change, but despite the apparent benefits, rates of adoption by smallholder farmers are highly variable. Here we present a scoping review, using PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols), examining the conditions that have led to the adoption of climate-resilient crops over the past 30 years in lower- and middle-income countries. The descriptive analysis performed on 202 papers shows that small-scale producers adopted climate-resilient crops and varieties to cope with abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, flooding and salinity. The most prevalent trait in our dataset was drought tolerance, followed by water-use efficiency. Our analysis found that the most important determinants of adoption of climate-resilient crops were the availability and effectiveness of extension services and outreach, followed by education levels of heads of households, farmers’ access to inputs—especially seeds and fertilizers—and socio-economic status of farming families. About 53% of studies reported that social differences such as sex, age, marital status and ethnicity affected the adoption of varieties or crops as climate change-adaptation strategies. On the basis of the collected evidence, this study presents a series of pathways and interventions that could contribute to higher adoption rates of climate-resilient crops and reduce dis-adoption.

Data-driven decentralized breeding increases prediction accuracy in a challenging crop production environment

“…In this, 3D-breeding is a promising approach that could add to conventional breeding increasing varietal performance in smallholder agriculture, which accounts for the largest share of the global farms 7 . In those settings, the adoption rate of current breeding innovation may be suboptimal due to socioeconomic and environmental factors 9,21,[31][32][33] . Climate change is pushing these farming systems to the edge of their adaptation capacity with increasing pressure from pest and diseases 34,35 , threats of yield loss 36,37 and increased seasonal climatic variability 38,39 , calling for tailored solutions.…”

“…To respond to local cropping needs impacted by climate change, breeders need to find new ways to accelerate variety development while directly addressing G E M interactions to the fullest 3,8,9 . Mobilizing farmers' traditional knowledge of crop varieties and local adaptation can address this challenge and enhance adoption of improved varieties 6,[10][11][12] in a coherent, decentralized breeding program relying on farmer-participatory selection [13][14][15] .…”

Climate change increases North Korea’s hunger: implications for social resilience

“…Differences in the quantitative attribution in rice production between NK and its neighbors (SK and China) reflected the importance of adaptation based on social resilience to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme climate. Food security may benefit most from the changes in adaptive capacity under future climate change, such as in the fields of agricultural practices, economic development 35 , resource use, and social cognition 36 . Irrigation 37 , fertilization, conservation tillage 38 , and crop breeding are being given much attention, with more focus given to increasing yields.…”

Conservation and Use of Latin American Maize Diversity: Pillar of Nutrition Security and Cultural Heritage of Humanity

“…Finally, the impact of climate change on maize genetic diversity can be substantial and needs to be further studied, especially in small-scale farms that depend on rainfall for maize cultivation [82]. Acevedo et al (2020, [83]) recently surveyed literature and identified major determinants for farmers' adoption of climate resilient varieties or crops, i.e., climate-change-related drivers for replacing previously preferred varieties or crops.…”