Assessing the Impact of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices on Household Welfare and Poverty Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

Climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) are promoted as pathways for improving productivity and resilience among smallholder farmers; however, empirical evidence on their welfare effects remains limited in South Africa. This study examines the impact of CSAP adoption on household welfare among smallholder maize farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province. A cross-sectional survey of 300 households was conducted using a multistage sampling approach. Welfare outcomes was measured using multidimensional indicators including the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), the Coping Strategy Index (CSI), and the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty index. An Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model was employed to correct for selection bias and to generate counterfactuals that estimate what adopters' welfare would have been in the absence of CSAP uptake. Results show that access to extension, group membership, and training significantly increased the likelihood of CSAP adoption. ESR outcomes indicate that adopters had higher dietary diversity, lower food insecurity, and reduced reliance on severe coping strategies. Counterfactual analysis reveals that adopters would have experienced significantly poorer welfare outcomes had they not adopted CSAPs. The findings demonstrate that CSAP adoption yields measurable welfare benefits and improves household resilience. The study recommends targeted investments in extension support, farmer organizations, and institutional arrangements to accelerate the adoption of CSAP and enhance household welfare.