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  • Publication | 2026
Who adopts what? A systematic global review of gender dynamics in climate-smart agriculture
Global Food and Nutrition Security

This global systematic review compiling 321 studies confirms that gender is one of the consistent but often overlooked determinants of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption.

Male farmers adopt a wider portfolio of CSA practices than women farmers and prioritise specific planting techniques such as improved crop varieties. Women more often pursue systems-level approaches such as livelihood, crop and income diversification,  agroforestry and natural resource management rather than focusing on a single crop or piece of technology. However, they face more constraints. Across contexts, low wealth and limited access to credit and extension services  limit uptake. Effective extension and social networks serve as major enablers for female technology adoption. Adoption succeeds in the presence of an enabling environment, characterised by training, secure land rights, stable income sources and participatory decision-making at both household and community levels. Yet, the findings of this review reveal persistent gaps in access to such enablers.

To address these gaps and enhance the effectiveness of climate adaptation in agriculture, this review makes four broad policy-level recommendations: strengthening gender-responsive extension services and networks, supporting females’ collective action and leadership, allocating targeted finance and credit namely to female-focused grassroots organisations, building conducive institutional support for access to resources and technologies.