Climate change poses significant challenges for smallholder and subsistence farmers, particularly in developing countries. These farmers are vulnerable due to their location in the tropics and limited adaptive capacity. The impacts of climate change on these systems are complex and difficult to model due to the lack of standardized definitions and the integration of agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood strategies. Recent studies highlight the need for a conceptual framework to understand the diverse impacts of climate change on these systems. Smallholder and subsistence farmers face various non-climate stressors, including environmental degradation, market fluctuations, and HIV/AIDS. Despite these challenges, they possess resilience factors such as family labor and indigenous knowledge. Climate change impacts include reduced crop yields, increased disease risks, and shifts in livestock production. Environmental changes also affect soil fertility and water availability. The impacts on agriculture are compounded by non-agricultural effects on human health and labor. Future research needs to focus on understanding the interactions between climate change impacts and non-climate stressors, as well as developing adaptive strategies for smallholder and subsistence farming. The complexity of these systems requires interdisciplinary research to improve understanding and build adaptive capacity.Climate change poses significant challenges for smallholder and subsistence farmers, particularly in developing countries. These farmers are vulnerable due to their location in the tropics and limited adaptive capacity. The impacts of climate change on these systems are complex and difficult to model due to the lack of standardized definitions and the integration of agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood strategies. Recent studies highlight the need for a conceptual framework to understand the diverse impacts of climate change on these systems. Smallholder and subsistence farmers face various non-climate stressors, including environmental degradation, market fluctuations, and HIV/AIDS. Despite these challenges, they possess resilience factors such as family labor and indigenous knowledge. Climate change impacts include reduced crop yields, increased disease risks, and shifts in livestock production. Environmental changes also affect soil fertility and water availability. The impacts on agriculture are compounded by non-agricultural effects on human health and labor. Future research needs to focus on understanding the interactions between climate change impacts and non-climate stressors, as well as developing adaptive strategies for smallholder and subsistence farming. The complexity of these systems requires interdisciplinary research to improve understanding and build adaptive capacity.