Unveiling key adaptation strategies: A systematic review of climate variability’s impact on agriculture

Abstract

This review aims to comprehensively analyze the variability of climate in agriculture and the adaptive behaviour of farmers in response to climate change, synthesizing existing knowledge and examining measures for mitigate climate fluctuations. To achieve this, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Scopus database, covering the past eleven years. A total of 177 articles were identified through a methodological application of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework. While these studies encompass a broad geographical scope, the selection was deliberately constrained by a small sample size to exclude regions lacking conflicting evidence, ensuring relevance and high-quality information, a standard practice in systematic reviews within this field. This study hypothesizes that adaptive strategies, such as climate-smart agriculture and early warning systems, significantly reduce farmers’ vulnerability under climate change. Key findings indicates that practices like conservation tillage, agroforestry and other climate-resilient approaches enhances agricultural sustainability and resilience. The results highlight the urgent need for further investigation and policy incentives to encourage adaptive behaviour and provide food security in the presence of climatic variability. Thus, the conclusion of these findings encourages the widespread uptake of climate-smart practices coupled with early warning mechanisms to reduce climatic risks effectively.