Enhancing Farmer Resilience through Profitable and Farmer-Acceptable Climate Smart Technologies and Practices

Climate change is a major threat that increasingly affects farm-level decisions, with farmers uncertain about what to plant, when, and which practices to use. This chapter presents results and experiences from a study on the profitability and farmer acceptability of different Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) options for maize-bean production in drought-prone areas of Uganda. The study presents key findings which could be applicable to many sub Saharan African countries. On-farm research was conducted in Rakai and Nakasongola districts during 2020 and 2021. Variables included: planting date (early vs late); varieties [common beans (NABE 4 and NAROBEAN 2), and maize (Longe 5 and Bazooka)]; intercropping versus pure stand; and fertiliser use [manure, Diammonium phosphate (DAP) alone or as a combination). These treatments were applied on six farmers’ fields as replicates. Early planting resulted in yields of maize and beans that were 16% and up to 46% greater over the course of the two years than late planting, resulting in Benefit/Cost (B/C) ratios for maize and beans that were 14-28% and 18-43% higher, respectively. The yields of maize and beans were decreased by intercropping by 16–25% and 52–57%, respectively. The B/C was highest for sole maize followed by intercropping, and least for sole beans. Fertilizer (DAP) was most profitable when used on maize variety Bazooka early-planted as sole crop, followed by intercrop. Manure utilisation was better for crops that were planted late. These practices were more beneficial when used together as a package, for both crops. Farmers' lessons emphasised the importance of early planting and fertiliser use; however, the majority of farmers said they would implement more than two of the tested practises.