Abstract

Purpose: This study critically examines the role of Indigenous agricultural practices (IAPs) in enhancing climate resilience among smallholder farming communities. While conventional climate adaptation strategies often emphasize modern technologies, Indigenous knowledge systems offer locally attuned, sustainable approaches that address both environmental variability and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Methodology: A purely doctrinal qualitative methodology was employed, synthesizing peer-reviewed literature, policy reports, and empirical studies on IAPs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The study systematically interrogates how traditional farming methods such as intercropping, mixed cropping, soil fertility management, and water conservation contribute to agroecological resilience under changing climatic conditions.

Findings: Findings reveal that IAPs are not merely cultural relics but dynamic, context-specific adaptation strategies that enhance soil fertility, reduce climate-induced crop losses, and promote community-level food security. However, the efficacy of these practices is constrained by policy neglect, generational knowledge erosion, and market pressures.

Originality/Value: This study advances a critical perspective by positioning Indigenous knowledge as a legitimate, empirically validated framework for climate adaptation. It underscores the need to integrate IAPs with modern agricultural interventions to achieve sustainable and equitable resilience outcomes.