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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Shaping Climate Adaptation among Smallholder Leafy Vegetable Agripreneurs in Semi-Arid Tanzania

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change adaptation research among smallholder farmers has primarily focused on staple crops, leaving leafy vegetables underrepresented despite their contributions to nutrition, income, local markets, and resilience in semi-arid farming systems. This study examined climate change knowledge, attitudes, and adaptation practices among smallholder leafy vegetable agripreneurs in Dodoma City and Singida Municipality, central Tanzania. It also examined associations between individual adaptation practices, socio-demographic characteristics, and leafy vegetable types. A cross-sectional survey of 385 agripreneurs was conducted across four wards using face-to-face interviews guided by an expanded Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice framework. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Friedman tests, cross-tabulations, chi-square tests, and Cramér's V effect sizes. Agripreneurs demonstrated substantial knowledge of drought, rainfall variability, rising temperatures, and pest and disease outbreaks and expressed favourable attitudes towards adaptation. Comparatively accessible practices, including compost or manure application, intercropping, mixed or relay cropping, crop rotation, crop diversification, and drought-tolerant or early-maturing varieties, were more widely established than greenhouse farming, drip irrigation, and integrated pest management. Individual adaptation practices were significantly associated with selected socio-demographic characteristics and leafy vegetable types. The findings indicate that translating knowledge and favourable attitudes into practice is conditioned by household and land circumstances, crop requirements, and access to productive and institutional resources. The study recommends localised climate information, crop-specific extension services, equitable access to finance and appropriate technologies, and sustained technical support.

Source: Social Sciences & Humanities Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.103803

Authors: Stephen Bishibura Erick, Jonathan Stephen Mbwambo, Raymond John Salanga

Institutions: Institute of Rural Development Planning, Sokoine University of Agriculture

Language: English

Topic: Climate change impacts on agriculture

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,180