Livestock Farmers’ Intentions to Adopt Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands: What Role Do Behavioural Factors Play?

Evaline Chepng′etich (), Robert Mbeche, Josiah Mwangi Ateka and Forah Obebo
Additional contact information
Evaline Chepng′etich: Department of Agricultural Economics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
Robert Mbeche: World Resources Institute, Africa, 14 School Lane, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
Josiah Mwangi Ateka: Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
Forah Obebo: Department of Applied Economics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-23

Abstract: Pastoral livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa are under an increasing threat from climate change with arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) being especially vulnerable. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is widely promoted as a strategy for enhancing resilience among smallholder livestock farmers by improving productivity, increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening adaptive capacity. However, CSA adoption rates among pastoralists remains low. While existing studies emphasise socio-economic and institutional factors, this study explores the often-overlooked behavioural dimensions, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions, which critically influence adaptation decisions. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study investigates the behavioural drivers of CSA adoption among 737 livestock farmers in Kenya’s ASALs. Using ordered probit regression and structural equation modelling–confirmatory factor analysis (SEM-CFA), the results reveal that attitudes and perceived behavioural control are significant predictors of farmer intention to adopt CSA practices, with perceived behavioural control being the most influential predictor. Farmers with a positive attitude and confidence in their ability to implement CSA practices are more likely to adopt them. The study findings suggest that efforts to promote CSA adoption should prioritise transforming attitudes and building practical confidence by increasing exposure to demonstration farms and implementing awareness-raising initiatives within pastoral communities.

Keywords: livestock; theory of planned behaviour; climate smart agricultural practices; structural equation modelling (SEM); adaptive capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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