Climate-smart agriculture technologies: Trends, acceptance and adoption constraints among farmers - A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) represents a transformative approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change to global agriculture. This review comprehensively analyses CSA adoption trends, acceptance factors and barriers, utilizing systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis methodologies. The findings underscore CSAs’ potential to enhance resilience, boost productivity and mitigate environmental impacts through practices such as agroforestry, precision agriculture and water-efficient irrigation. However, its widespread adoption is hindered by socio-economic, institutional and ecological constraints, including limited access to credit, inadequate extension services, high initial investment costs and socio-cultural challenges such as gender disparities. Key findings reveal that financial incentives, robust policy support and tailored extension services are critical drivers of CSA adoption. Digital tools, such as Digital Advisory Services (DAS), effectively bridge knowledge gaps by delivering timely, localized information to farmers. Gender-sensitive interventions and the strengthening of community networks are also emerge as vital components in overcoming adoption barriers, fostering inclusivity and collective action. Additionally, the analysis underscores the importance of region-specific strategies that integrate traditional agricultural knowledge with modern CSA practices to address local environmental and cultural contexts. This article provides actionable recommendations, including enhancing institutional support, scaling digital outreach and implementing consistent policy frameworks to promote CSA. By addressing these multidimensional barriers, CSA can make a significant contribution to sustainable agricultural systems, ensuring food security, improving resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the face of a changing climate.