How Endogenous Cultural Institutions May (Not) Shape Farmers’ Climate Adaptation Practices: Learning from Rural Cameroon

Climate change is high on the science and policy agenda of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), requiring context-specific adaptation. Studies endogenous cultural institutions (ECIs) in climate adaptation are fragmented, impeding orientation. This suggests need for complementary evidence ECIs to inform practice. Through a sample 158 households rural Cameroon, we contribute bridge this gap, by: (1) exploring socio-political factors shaping peasant farmers’ compliance with agro-based ECIs, (2) estimating effect ECI practices. Our estimation revealed following: While political do not sufficiently explain compliance, state influence, mirrored through application formal rules negatively affects compliance. Traditional rain forecast significantly explains adaptation; however, pouring libation does not. The age farmers also positively ECIs. We conclude that manifest varying proportions.