Despite the reported benefits and the efforts devoted to Conservation Agriculture (CA) promotion, its implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has continued to decline. This study is conducted to assess the factors that influence the adoption of conservation agriculture in Potshini, Stulwane and Emmaus villages in the Okhahlamba Local Municipality (OLM) in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, South Africa. The study used well-structured questionnaires from 273 smallholders to collect data. Systematic random sampling applied to select farmers and results were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency count and percentages) and logistic regression analysis to determine factors that influenced the adoption of CA. The findings showed that age of the respondents, credit access, extension visit and training had a significant influence on farmers’ adoption of CA practices. Understanding factors that influence CA adoption would allow the design of well-tailored interventions that will recommend its uptake in the communal areas. These results also suggest that in order for the ca programs to succeed there is a need for collective action and supporting policy and institutional set-up.

Keywords: Conservation Agriculture, Systematic sampling, Logistic regression, Smallholder farmers, South Africa.