Economic Incentives for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Ecosystem Conservation in Tanzania: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Abstract

This study systematically reviews empirical evidence on economic factors associated with the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and ecosystem conservation practices in Tanzania. A PRISMA-guided approach was used to identify and synthesise studies published between 2018 and 2025. Ten Tanzania-specific empirical studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The studies varied in design, setting, economic mechanism and measured outcome. Access to finance was associated with the adoption of some CSA practices, although findings differed by practice. Land-tenure security and extension support also featured in the adoption evidence as institutional and informational conditions, respectively, rather than financial incentives. Evidence on market-based instruments, including payments for ecosystem services, was more limited, and few studies measured sustained adoption or ecosystem outcomes. The available evidence therefore does not establish that financial incentives are more effective than market-based instruments or that combined approaches outperform individual interventions. By bringing these studies together, the review identifies context-specific patterns and gaps in evidence relevant to policy design. Recommendations include addressing locally identified barriers to financial access and piloting payments for ecosystem services (PES) and carbon-market arrangements with careful monitoring of participation, funding and conservation outcomes. Further longitudinal and comparative research is needed to assess the lasting effects of economic instruments on CSA adoption and ecosystem conservation.