With climate change, population growth, and land degradation exerting mounting pressures on agricultural systems in developing countries, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) strategies have been prioritized as a means to strengthen smallholder farmers' resilience. However, precise targeting methodologies remain a challenge. This study employs a comprehensive approach, integrating Socio-economic, and Biophysical (SEBP), and the Five Capitals Model analyses encompassing human, social, physical, natural, and financial capital. The study employs factor analysis for mixed data (FAMD), cluster analysis using partitioning around the medoids (PAM) and univariate and bivariate techniques to identify and classify distinct typologies of smallholder farming systems in Senegal's Tambacounda and Sedhiou regions in 2020. A probit regression model gauges CSA adoption probability, to better focus CSA efforts. Results underscore the pivotal role of SEBP factors in shaping distinct farmer typologies, enabling precise CSA targeting. Geographical distribution patterns of these typologies reveal non-random clustering, particularly in specific regions. Four farmer typologies emerge: Cluster 1 (Sedhiou, low-income, high climate challenges), Cluster 2 (Sedhiou and Tambacounda, low-to middle-income, moderate climatic challenges), Cluster 3 (Tambacounda, high income, favorable climate), and Cluster 4 (Tambacounda, low income, severe climate challenges). Technology mismatches emerge between farmers' SEBP profiles and capital assets, prompting the identification of relevant technologies for soil fertility restoration and increased output. These findings highlight the importance of implementing CSAs in accordance with specific requirements, such as enhancing soil fertility, yield, and nutritional quality. A contextual understanding of local agricultural dynamics is likewise necessary for optimizing intervention strategies, according to the study.

In sub-Saharan Africa, land degradation and climate change continue to undermine agricultural productivity by reducing soil productivity and water availability. This review identifies soil and water conservation technologies successfully applied in climatically analogous regions of sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of informing effective technology transfer to Senegal, particularly Sédhiou and Tambacounda. Using K-means clustering on WorldClim bioclimatic variables, 35 comparable countries were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria based on data availability and ≥60% climatic similarity. Eighty-five technologies were documented and assessed for their compatibility across rainfall patterns, land gradients, and uses, with 12 emerging as consistently effective. Quantitative evidence shows that zai/tassa pits, stone bunds, and half-moons increase crop yields by 50–200%, while stone bunds and mulching reduce runoff by up to 80% and improve soil moisture retention. Terracing and tied-ridging were also linked to higher water-use efficiency, with tied-ridging increasing soil moisture by 13%. Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Malawi lead in adoption and diversity, whereas Senegal lags due to institutional gaps, limited funding, and weak extension systems. These technologies offer a readily available, evidence-based toolkit for building agricultural resilience in Senegal. However, their successful adoption requires stronger policy integration, stakeholder empowerment, cross-border learning, and private-sector engagement.

This article provides a description of baseline survey data that was collected in Senegal in the regions of Sedhiou and Tambacounda in 2020, respectively, and as part of an agricultural development project aimed at improving the well-being and resilience of farming households. The survey was implemented using a structured questionnaire administered among 1503 households, 70% of whom are women and 30% are young people, in the two regions. This paper contains data that can helps in understanding the socioeconomic well-being and resilience of smallholder farming households, especially among women and youth. This data helps to associate information on: (i) the socioeconomic project area variables, (ii) the extent of use of irrigated and climate change-adapted crops; (iii) the level of soil and water resource management in the study regions; and (iv) the food security and dietary diversity with the well-being and empowerment of women and young smallholder farming households. In addition, the dataset can be used as a baseline or reference point to track the economic empowerment and climate resilience building achieved in the study regions.

In sub-Saharan Africa, land degradation and climate change threaten food security by reducing soil productivity and water availability. Soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies can restore soil health, enhance moisture retention, and support crop growth under adverse conditions. This review identifies SWC technologies applied in climatically similar African regions with the aim of informing adoption in Senegal, particularly in Sédhiou and Tambacounda regions. Using K-means clustering on 19 WorldClim bioclimatic variables, 35 comparable countries were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria based on data availability and ≥60% climatic similarity. Around 85 technologies were reviewed, including water harvesting, soil-moisture conservation, and erosion control, assessed for their compatibility across rainfall patterns, and land gradients and uses. The review highlights 12 successful technologies across Africa with high potential for cross-border transfer and upscaling in Senegal’s agroecological context. While countries such as Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Malawi lead in technology adoption and diversity, Senegal lags behind due to institutional gaps, limited funding, and weak extension systems. The findings highlight the importance of site-specific water management for improving soil conservation, biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, and food security, and emphasize the need for policy integration, stakeholder empowerment, private-sector engagement, and cross-border learning to accelerate adoption.