Adaptation Strategies to Climate Extremes among Smallholder Farmers: a Case of Cropping Practices in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

Climate extremes threaten livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa hence the need for adaptations strategies. The objective of the study was to analyze adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers by examining their knowledge of climate extremes and the perceived effects of climate extremes on agriculture activities. The study was conducted using data generated from 70 randomly selected farm families from 4 villages in Hohoe district, the Volta Region in Ghana, in July 2009. Information sought included household socio-economic characteristics, cropping systems, experience with climate variability and adaptation strategies to weather extremes and climate risk. Descriptive statistics were run on household characteristics, chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used to separate means (P<0.01 and 0.05) using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that farmers experienced either drought or flood once in every two seasons over the past 3 years. Among the adaptation strategies currently used to reduce the impact of climate extremes were early planting, use of hybrid seed and soil moisture conservation techniques such as within-field ridge construction. Awareness of the climate change phenomena was high among farmers (94%), and the main sources of climate change-related information were radio, television, agricultural extension agents and local experts. Farmers perceived deforestation and forest fires as major factors contributing to climate extremes. Limited use of fertilizer, hybrid seed and lack of planned crop sequences reduced the benefits from the mixed cropping system. Low resource endowment limited effective use of improved and modern crop production technologies. Current adaptation strategies to climate extremes especially drought are not enough to reduce risk and loss in agricultural production. However, improved drainage infrastructure and mulching were reported to increase crop production; important innovations against droughts and floods. We conclude that inputs and modern crop management techniques are key to minimizing the effects of climate extremes on crops. Delivery of high quality weather forecasting information could better prepare farmers and improve planning of seasonal calendars. The study showed close relationships between adaptation capacity and resource endowment and rural infrastructural development. The results are important in planning intervention on climate extremes and rural agricultural development.