Farm-Level Adoption of Adaptation Practices: Impact on Maize Yield in Ethiopia’s Upper Blue Nile

Despite their potential to enhance smallholder resilience, evidence on the impact of Adaptation Practices (APs) on maize yields in Ethiopia remains limited. This study examines the effects of AP adoption on maize yield using data from 486 households, complemented by four focus group discussions and six key informant interviews, analyzed through descriptive statistics. While farmers adopt APs to mitigate challenges such as soil erosion, irregular rainfall, and maize diseases, constraints—including limited credit, inadequate awareness, and insufficient extension support—restrict broader uptake. The adoption of agroforestry, conservation agriculture, Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), and improved seeds increased average log maize yields by 20.98%, 17.8%, 34.94%, and 15.40%, respectively. Counterfactual analysis indicates that non-adopters could have achieved even higher potential gains—22.64%, 20.72%, -2.71%, and 21.95%—highlighting missed opportunities for yield improvement. These findings suggest that resource availability, knowledge access, and targeted support critically influence AP effectiveness. The study implies that promoting the adoption of agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and ISFM should be a policy priority, as these practices deliver the largest productivity gains. Addressing barriers faced by non-adopters—particularly access to credit, extension services, and knowledge—can substantially enhance maize yields and strengthen climate resilience among smallholder farmers.