Impact of climate smart agricultural practices on technical efficiency among high value vegetable farming in Northwestern Ethiopia

Climate change and variability increasingly constrains the technical efficiency (TE) of smallholder vegetable production. This study analyzes the impact of climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices on TE among high value vegetable production in Northwestern Ethiopia. The analysis draws on cross sectional data from 550 smallholder farmers selected through a multistage sampling procedure from the North Gojjam, Awi, and South Gondar zones of Amhara region. TE was first estimated using stochastic frontier analysis, after which a multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) model was employed. Through factor analysis, CSA practices were categorized into three bundled domains: soil management (S), climate resilient technology (C), and water management (W). Integrated CSA adoption enhanced TE in onion 19.1% to 20.5%, potato 38.3% to 39.5%, and tomato 22.0% to 23.1% efficiency, depending on the combination of CSA practices. The greatest efficiency gains were, however, realized from the joint adoption of soil management and water management practices and integration of soil management and climate resilient technologies. The study concludes that bundled CSA adoption improves resource use efficiency among vegetable producers. Based on these findings, policy implications point to prioritizing context specific, bundled CSA interventions tailored to crop type and agro ecological conditions, rather than one size fits all approaches. Strengthening extension services, improving access to credit, and expanding climate advisory support can facilitate adoption and increase efficiency.