Examining the Level of Adoption of Climate Change Mitigation Strategies through Agricultural Innovation Systems among Women Farmers in Tanzania

Conference submission

Ndosi, M.J.,Ahmad, K.A., Makindara, J.R., & Duodu, K.G

Abstract: Women play a central role in climate change mitigation in smallholder agriculture, yet their engagement with Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) remains uneven and insufficiently understood. This study analyses women’s adoption of climate change mitigation strategies and examines how engagement with AIS influences these practices in Tanzania. The study was conducted in Tarime District (Mara Region) and Mpimbwe District Council (Katavi Region), two major maize-producing areas with contrasting agro-ecological conditions. A convergent parallel mixed-methods research design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 262 women farmers selected through a multi-stage stratified random sampling design, with the sample size determined using Cochran’s (1977) formula. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with purposively selected AIS actors.

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression-based techniques, complemented by qualitative thematic analysis. The results show that the adoption of climate change mitigation practices among women farmers was generally low to moderate. Higher adoption levels were observed for drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, while practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, rainwater harvesting, mulching, ICT-based advisory services, access to credit, and participation in farmer groups remained limited. Chi-square results indicate that education level significantly influenced the adoption of several mitigation strategies (p<0.05). Overall, the findings demonstrate that women’s effective participation in climate change mitigation depends not only on access to technologies but also on inclusive, well-coordinated, and gender-responsive AIS that address structural and institutional barriers.

Keywords: climate change mitigation; Agricultural Innovation Systems; women farmers; sampling techniques; adoption practices; Tanzania