Climate Smart Maize in Sub Saharan Africa: An Integrated Evaluation Using Agro Technologies and Climate Projections
Journal of Smart and Sustainable Farming
Received On : 30 July 2025
Revised On : 31 August 2025
Accepted On : 25 October 2025
Published On : 02 November 2025
Volume 01, 2025
Pages : 196-205
Abstract
This paper evaluates the effects of the climate smart agriculture (CSA) practice through scenario-based modelling, in 3 climate change vulnerable SSA (sub) regions (Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia). Effects of two Agri techno pathways, including Low Tech (LT) and High Tech (HT) on the intensity of greenhouse gases emissions, water productivity and maize yield were contrasted and identified under two climate scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP 8.5). To aid in cross-scenario and cross-country comparison, a climate smartness index (CSI) was created, which included productivity, resource use efficiencies, mitigation and resource use efficiencies. Findings show that HT futures have significant CSI value improvements, with the majority of these improvements being in the areas of yield increase, water-use efficiency, and unit grain emissions. Irrigation and uptake of better maize varieties also mitigate the yield shock and this shows the importance of interventions through technology in ensuring that agricultural systems are developed in a manner that is climate-resilient.
Keywords
Climate-Smart Agriculture, Maize Productivity, Sub-Saharan Africa, Agro -Technological Development, Climate Smartness Index, Water Productivity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
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Cite this Article
Snethemba Zulu, “Climate Smart Maize in Sub Saharan Africa: An Integrated Evaluation Using Agro Technologies and Climate Projections”, Journal of Smart and Sustainable Farming, pp. 196-205, 2025, doi: 10.64026/JSSF/2025019.