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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the association between smallholder farmer perceptions toward climate change and adaptation strategies at the household level in Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 284 households mainly using a structured questionnaire. The Heckman probit selection model was used to first identify the underlying socio-economic factors that affect households’ recognition of climate change in the past 10 years, and the second model the factors that influence adaptation to the climate change phenomenon. Findings The majority of farmers (85 percent) perceived that climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and variability in rainfall patterns, has been occurring in the past ten years. As a response, farmers adapted using methods such as manuring and staggering of planting dates. Indigenous knowledge systems and non-governmental organizations increased the likelihood farmers’ recognition of climate change (p<0.05). The probability of adopting multiple adaptation strategies was influenced by household head’s education level, land tenure and access to public extension services. Practical implications Integrative extension methods that take into account socio-cultural values could be helpful in building resilience as farmers are better able to understand the climate change construct. There is a need to guarantee land tenure rights in resettlement areas to stimulate investment on farms. Originality/value This study showed that there is a link between farmers’ prior knowledge of climate change and the number of adaptive investments. The analysis proposed an educational and extension approach that is embedded in the socio-cultural and traditional setting of farmers.

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Despite various interventions, smallholder dairy farming in large parts of the tropics remain characterised by low productivity, restricted market participation, and viability challenges. The problem lies in the unavailability, low adoption rates and non-adoption of available improved smallholder dairying technologies. Using Rusitu and Gokwe smallholder dairy projects in Zimbabwe as a case study, this paper explored broad global issues of farmer segmentation, characteristics of the different farmer segments or innovation domains, the domains' influence on technology adoption patterns, and the impact of technology adoption on smallholder dairy development. Through a survey of 227 households and the use of a multivariate analysis approach, Principal Component Analysis identified eight principal components, while follow-up analysis using Cluster Analysis identified five distinct innovation domains. These innovation domains included smallholder dairy producers (61.6% of the surveyed households), smallholder dairy heirs (15.9%), new and emergent producers (4.6%), smallholder dairy pioneers (2.0%), and commercial and market-oriented producers (15.9%). The paper established that innovation domains with higher levels of participation in smallholder dairy innovation platforms had higher rates of dairy technology adoption. The net effects have higher estimated annual dairy incomes, improved total household incomes, and the development of smallholder dairy enterprises. This study provides valuable contributions in advancing the theories and practice of innovation, agricultural research and advisory services.