Climate‐smart agriculture adoption intensity in a semi‐arid agricultural landscape: drivers and disparities

BACKGROUND: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity, strengthening resilience to climate change, and reducing environmental impacts. Understanding the factors that influence farmers' adoption of CSA practices (CSAPs) is essential for designing effective policies and support mechanisms. This study examined the adoption of CSAPs among farmers and identified the socioeconomic, institutional, and behavioral factors affecting their utilization. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 430 farmers in a major agricultural region of Iran. The determinants of CSA adoption were analyzed using a generalized Poisson model, which is particularly suitable for under-dispersed count data. RESULTS: The results revealed that education, self-efficacy, membership in agricultural cooperatives, access to extension services, availability of credit facilities, job satisfaction, trust in innovative agricultural inputs, and crop insurance significantly increased the likelihood of CSA adoption. Conversely, limited access to training programs and inadequately aligned government support negatively affected adoption levels. A significant difference also emerged between urban and rural farmers, with rural farmers demonstrating a greater propensity to adopt CSAPs. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of strengthening farmers' capacities through education, extension services, financial support, and risk-management tools. Enhancing institutional support, expanding access to training, and promoting trust in agricultural innovations can facilitate broader CSA adoption. These results provide valuable evidence for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to accelerate the transition toward more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.