Adoption and Impact Of Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Among Vegetable Farmers in Maseru District, Lesotho

This study evaluated the adoption and impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) mitigation practices among vegetable farmers in Maseru
District, Lesotho. The research aimed to assess the extent of CSA practice implementation, identify barriers hindering their uptake, and examine
their influence on farmers’ income. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting quantitative data from 180 vegetable farmers
selected through multistage and snowball sampling methods. A set of structured questionnaires were used to gather information on socioeconomic
characteristics, CSA practices, and adoption barriers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results
revealed that small-scale irrigation (89.82%) and organic manure application (89.22%) were the most commonly adopted practices, while
adoption of greenhouses (4.79%) and keyhole gardens (28.14%) remained low. Lack of knowledge and financial constraints were identified
as major barriers to CSA adoption. Regression analysis indicated that small-scale irrigation had a significant positive effect on farmers’ monthly
income (β = 1.40; p <0.05), while organic manure application had a significant negative impact (β = -1.02; p <0.05). The findings highlight the need
for targeted policy interventions to address knowledge gaps, improve access to financial resources, and enhance technical capacity among
vegetable farmers in the region.