Determinants and Gender Dimensions of Climate-Smart Agriculture Adoption: Evidence from South Wollo, Ethiopia

PURPOSE: Climate change represents  critical global challenge in the 21st century, primarily driven by human activities. This study analyzes temperature and rainfall variability and trends and examines the determinants of climate-smart agriculture adoption in Wegdi District, South Wollo, and Ethiopia.METHODOLOGY: This study analyzed 35 years (1987–2022) of annual rainfall and temperature data using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard error, variance, range, coefficient of variation, and minimum and maximum values. The Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator assessed trends and rates of change in climate indices. Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices was evaluated using a multivariate probit model.RESULT: Trend analysis of climate data revealed significant declines in seasonal rainfall, with Kiremt and Belg rainfall decreasing by 7.63 mm/year and 6.11 mm/year, respectively (p < 0.01), while temperature showed a significant upward trend ranging from 0.061°C to 0.078°C per year in major seasons (p < 0.01). Adoption rates of CSA practices were relatively high, with 82.01% of farmers adopting improved crop varieties, 78.83% of the respondents adopting soil and water conservation, and 70.89% adopting agroforestry, while lower adoption was observed for compost and manure (51.30%) and improved livestock husbandry (40.02%). The MVP results showed that farm size, livestock holding (TLU), access to climate information, extension contact, credit access. Gender analysis revealed statistically significant disparities in adoption of specific practices such as water harvesting (p < 0.01), agroforestry (p < 0.05), compost and manure (p < 0.05), and improved crop varieties (p < 0.05), with male-headed households showing higher adoption rates.