Incorporating Climate Resilient Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Southwest Nigeria Smallholder Farming Systems
Abstract
Smallholder farmers in Southwest Nigeria face increasing production risks due to climate change, as their farming systems are largely rain-fed and most farms are smaller than three hectares. Although previous studies have documented farmers’ perceptions and coping responses, limited attention has been given to the combined use of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) as scalable resilience strategies. This paper addresses this gap by drawing on original survey data from 500 smallholder households across the six states of Southwest Nigeria, supplemented by a structured literature review of regional evidence. The determinants of adoption and the resilience outcomes of high-impact SAP combinations were examined using logistic and multiple regression models. The results show that integrated SAP bundles, particularly cover cropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic soil amendments, generate greater resilience gains than single practices. Farms adopting four or more SAPs remained productive during periods of moderate climate stress, with yield stability exceeding 80%. Institutional access to extension services emerged as the strongest institutional predictor of increased SAP integration. Based on these findings, the study proposes a four-pillar framework focused on context-specific practice selection, capacity building, institutional support, and knowledge systems. The results provide policymakers, development programmes, and extension agencies with practical policy implications for enhancing climate resilience in Southwest Nigeria and comparable agro-ecological systems.
Keywords: sustainable agriculture; smallholder farming; climate change adaptation; Southwest Nigeria; climate-smart agriculture; agroforestry; food security.
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