Climate-Smart Extension Strategies for Farm Women

Abstract Climate change poses a major threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods, particularly in developing countries where agriculture is highly dependent on climatic conditions. Rural women farmers play a significant role in agricultural production, household food security, natural resource management, and rural livelihoods, yet they often have limited access to agricultural resources, climate information, and technology, finance, and extension services. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) provides an approach to address these challenges through increased productivity, improved resilience to climate change, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This review examines the role of climate-smart extension strategies in supporting rural women farmers in adapting to climate variability. The review highlights the importance of capacity building and training, access to timely climate and weather information, promotion of climate-resilient technologies, Farmer Field Schools, digital and ICT-based extension services, and sustainable resource management. These strategies can improve women's knowledge and skills, strengthen decision-making, reduce drudgery, enhance food and nutritional security, increase income, and improve resilience to climate-related shocks. However, several challenges, including inadequate information, limited access to credit and agricultural inputs, insufficient digital infrastructure, socio-cultural constraints, gender disparities, and limited access to resources, hinder the effective adoption of climate-smart practices. The review emphasizes the need for gender-responsive extension programmes, improved access to finance and agricultural inputs, digital literacy, capacity building, participation in farmer organizations, and stronger collaboration among communities, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. Strengthening inclusive and gender-sensitive climate-smart extension services can contribute significantly to resilient and sustainable agricultural development and improved rural livelihoods. Keywords: Climate change, Climate-smart agriculture, Extension services, Rural women farmers, Climate resilience, ICT, Sustainable agriculture.