Do climate-smart agricultural practices impact the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers in the Southern part of Bangladesh?

Abstract

Efforts to reduce food insecurity must include building resilience in rural farmers to shocks. One way to achieve this is through climate-smart agriculture (CSA). This paper analyzes the impact of CSA on farmers’ livelihoods. Data were collected in two phases in 2010 and 2018 from a study (CSA practitioners) and control group (CSA non-practitioners) of climate-affected farmers (240 farmers in each group) using a quasi-experimental survey design considering all possible biases. Descriptive statistics, variance inflation factor analysis, multiple regression, path analysis, FE-IV, and propensity score matching models were applied. Practicing CSA technologies improved food security and the incomes of the farmers through increased agricultural productivity. The impact of CSA technologies differed based on farmers’ understanding of technologies, the time and amount of financial support, availability of extension staff, the provision of technical and other logistical support, and CSA practitioners’ experience, such as knowing how to enhance plant resilience. Specific policy interventions, including financing of CSA, would benefit rural farmers. CSA provides a path towards sustainable livelihood development and food security. These findings will be useful for policymakers, planners, administrators, and development workers.