Does the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices impact the food security of Ugandan maize farmers?

In the context of climate change and extreme weather events that significantly impact agricultural production, smart agriculture has emerged as an important entry point for increasing the resilience of agricultural households. This study examines the relationship between climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices and food security among maize-growing households in Uganda, utilizing data from three waves of the Uganda National Panel Survey collected by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. A two-step analytical approach was employed. In the first stage, a panel logistic regression model was employed to understand the factors influencing the adoption of CSA practices. While in the second stage, random and fixed effects panel data analysis methods were applied to assess the effects of CSA on food security indicators -Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Food Consumption Score (FCS), and Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP) among maize farmers. Our findings reveal a strong association between the adoption of all four studied CSA practices and household dietary diversity scores (HDDS). The number of months of adequate food provisioning was significantly influenced using fertilizers and pesticides, whereas the food consumption score (FCS) was affected primarily by legume intercropping and the use of fertilizers. Although there were modest associations between the independent use of CSA practices and food security, bundling CSA practices showed a stronger association with HDDS and FCS and a weaker association with months of adequate household food provisioning. The findings of this study suggest important policy implications for providing maize farmers with effective CSA practice packages that maximize food security benefits while promoting environmental sustainability.