Climate-Smart Agriculture, Climate Risk Vulnerability, and Food Security in Côte d’Ivoire: Exploring the Role of Gender

Abstract

This dissertation examines the interrelations between Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), climate vulnerability, and food security, with a particular focus on gender inequalities in Côte d’Ivoire. Employing econometric techniques and survey data, it analyses farmers’ perceptions of climate change, the determinants of CSA practice adoption, and the gender-differentiated effects on food security and vulnerability. Despite growing awareness of climate variability, CSA adoption remains low, with fewer than 20% of households in the Hambol region implementing the majority of the 35 identified practices. Agroforestry emerges as both a widely adopted and effective practice, contributing to food security while supporting climate adaptation and mitigation. However, a lack of awareness regarding CSA benefits remains a major barrier to its uptake. The gender analysis highlights notable disparities: improved seeds increase food security by 33.9% in female-headed households, whereas intercropping improves it by 47.3% in male-headed ones. Overall, CSA practices enhance food security by 41.3%, with respective gains of 29.7% for women and 45.7% for men. Through an endogenous change model, the research demonstrates that adopters experience a 4.84% reduction in vulnerability, compared to a 21% increase among non-adopters. Improved seeds and intercropping reduce vulnerability by 5.76% and 4.5%, respectively, while non-adoption results in increases of 7.54% and 24.74%. Socio-economic factors such as age, household size, and access to healthcare also reduce vulnerability, whereas climate shocks, including droughts and floods, exacerbate it. The combined adoption of CSA practices enhances resilience by diversifying income sources and strengthening adaptive capacities. Policy implications include strengthening meteorological services, providing targeted training, facilitating gender-sensitive credit access, and implementing land reforms to ensure equitable adoption.