In the sun-baked fields of Mozambique and beyond, smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of a climate crisis that threatens their livelihoods. But a new study led by Calvince Andele Ogutu, a researcher at Eduardo Mondlane University, offers a roadmap for how these farmers—particularly women—can not only adapt but thrive in an era of unpredictable weather and shrinking resources. The findings, published in *Frontiers in Climate*, reveal a stark reality: while many farmers have heard of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices, far fewer truly understand how to implement them or grasp the science behind them.
Ogutu’s team surveyed 400 smallholder farmers across Mozambique, testing their awareness, knowledge, and understanding of 13 CSA practices—from rainwater harvesting to improved crop varieties. The results paint a complex picture. Take rainwater harvesting, for example. Nearly 81% of farmers were aware of it, but only 39% knew how to put it into practice. “This isn’t just about knowing the term,” Ogutu explains. “It’s about understanding why it works and how to adapt it to local conditions.” For rainwater harvesting, that might mean knowing when to deploy it during the dry season or how to maintain the infrastructure. Without that deeper understanding, even well-intentioned efforts can fall short.
The study also uncovered surprising disparities in awareness based on gender and education. Women farmers demonstrated significantly higher awareness, knowledge, and understanding of CSA principles than their male counterparts—a trend that held true across nearly all practices. “Women are often the backbone of smallholder farming,” Ogutu notes. “They’re more likely to adopt practices that preserve soil and water, but their insights are frequently overlooked in extension programs.” Education played another critical role. Farmers with secondary education or higher were far more likely to be familiar with advanced practices like conservation tillage or cover cropping. Those with less education, however, were often completely unaware of these methods, with some practices registering 0% awareness among this group.
These gaps aren’t just academic—they have real-world consequences. For energy companies operating in regions where smallholder farming dominates, the findings suggest a dual opportunity. First, there’s a need for targeted education campaigns that bridge the knowledge divide, particularly for women and less-educated farmers. Energy firms could partner with agricultural extension services to develop training programs that align with local needs, ensuring that CSA practices are adopted effectively. Second, the study highlights the commercial potential of technologies like rainwater harvesting and soil fertility management, which could reduce water and energy demands in farming while increasing productivity.
The polarization in farmer awareness—with 54% of respondents showing high awareness of multiple practices but 15% barely knowing any—points to a fragmented market. For agribusinesses and energy providers, this suggests a need for segmented approaches. Low-awareness technologies, for instance, might require pilot programs or subsidies to encourage uptake, while high-awareness practices could be scaled more quickly through partnerships with farmer cooperatives.
Ogutu’s work underscores a simple truth: climate-smart agriculture isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. As pressures on water and energy resources grow, the insights from this study could help shape policies and business strategies that empower farmers while safeguarding natural resources. Published in *Frontiers in Climate*, the research is a call to action for governments, NGOs, and the private sector to invest in education and infrastructure that meets farmers where they are. The question now is whether the energy sector will rise to the challenge.