Adaptation Implications of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Rural Pakistan

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the drivers of the adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices and the impact of their adoption on farm net returns and exposure to risks. We use recent farm-level data from three agroecological zones of Pakistan to estimate a multinomial endogenous switching regression for different CSA practices used to reduce the adverse impact of climate change. These strategies include changing input mix, changing cropping calendar, diversifying seed variety, and soil and water conservation measures. The empirical results show that the adoption of different CSA practices is influenced by average rainfall, previous experience of climate-related shocks, and access to climate change information. The findings further reveal that adoption of CSA practices positively and significantly improves farm net returns and reduces farmers’ exposure to downside risks and crop failure. The results also reveal significant differences in the impacts of CSA practice adoption on farm net returns in different agroecological zones. Thus, policies aimed at achieving sustainability in agricultural production should consider agroecological, specific, climate-smart solutions.

The “Perfect Village” Model as a Result of Research on Transformation of Plant Cover—Case Study of the Puchaczów Commune

“…The above is connected with the necessity to adapt and transform the existing agricultural systems [36]. One way to do this may be Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), as a new direction of economic development based on the principles of sustainable agriculture [14,37]. It includes the integrated management of water, soil and ecosystems at the landscape scale [38].…”

“…It includes the integrated management of water, soil and ecosystems at the landscape scale [38]. The implementation of CSA practices significantly improves the profitability of farms and reduces the likelihood of crop failures [37,39].…”

Multi-Variable Governance Index Modeling of Government’s Policies, Legal and Institutional Strategies, and Management for Climate Compatible and Sustainable Agriculture Development

“…Similarly, the average index score (6.61) for AC 3.1 i.e., climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices shows considerable effort though the average index score (4.69) for climate infrastructure criterion (AC-7.1), suggesting the adoption of measures to substantiate the sustainability of CSA in the long term. Most commonly adopted CSA practices in Pakistan include changing fertilizer types and quantities, shifting cropping patterns in accordance with seasonal shifts, using different seed varieties e.g., drought-resistant seeds, and soil and water conservation [69]. However, for the purpose of AC 3.1, agriculture practices for risk recovery in case of crops' failures, capacity enhancement of all relevant actors, and creating mass awareness about measures for minimizing GHG emissions from livestock and cropping were considered.…”

“…The functional linkages between these criteria affect the performance and sustainability of other criteria. For example, research and development are crucial to developing drought-resistant, pestresistant crop varieties, and achieving irrigation efficiency, which will not only require research institutions but also extension services to disseminate the research [69].…”

Assessing the Impact of Climate Resilient Technologies in Minimizing Drought Impacts on Farm Incomes in Drylands

“…The adaptation strategies through climate smart villages helped the farm households diversify crops and grow resilient livestock breeds and protect themselves from drought risks. Climate resilience not only increases farm income and net returns, but also contributes to food security and poverty reduction [34,[37][38][39]. Reviews of the effect of documented climate risk management interventions found them to be effective in improving farm incomes, crop production and helping mitigate the impacts of droughts on farm households and their assets [9].…”