Gender and Impact of Multiple Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) Practices on Nutritional Outcomes and Multidimensional Poverty Status of Cassava Farmers in Nigeria

Abstract

There is significant potential to enhance food security and address nutrition and poverty in smallholder farming systems through the adoption of climate-sensitive agriculture practices (CSA). However, adoption rates of CSA practices remain uneven across genders due to disparities in access to resources, decision-making power, and socio-economic barriers. Similarly, while CSA practices are widely recognized for their potential benefits, the combined effects of using multiple practices to improve food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction remain poorly studied and not fully understood. This study analyzes data from four waves of the Nigeria General Household Survey, using fixed effects multivariate logit models and a panel endogenous switching regression framework to examine the factors influencing CSA adoption and its outcomes. The results show notable gender differences: male farmers are more likely to adopt organic manure and practice mixed cropping, while women focus more on improved seeds and combining organic and inorganic manure. Integrated CSA strategies, especially combining organic manure with mixed cropping, lead to significant gains in food security and reductions in multidimensional poverty. Nonetheless, organic/inorganic manure combinations are underused, mainly due to resource constraints and perceived inefficiencies. Addressing gender-specific barriers and maximizing the benefits of CSA practices can provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. The study recommends gender-sensitive policies, better financial inclusion, and customized extension services to promote sustainable farming practices that boost food security, resilience, and livelihoods in smallholder systems.