COPING WITH CLIMATE EXTREMES: SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN GHANA'S VOLTA REGION
Keywords:
Smallholder farmers, climate extremes, adaptation strategiesAbstract
This study investigates the strategies employed by smallholder farmers in Ghana's Volta Region to cope with climate extremes. Smallholder farmers in this region face increasing challenges due to climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events. Through qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with farmers, as well as key informant interviews with agricultural experts, this research explores the adaptation strategies implemented by smallholder farmers. Key findings reveal a range of coping mechanisms, including diversification of crops, adoption of drought-resistant varieties, implementation of water conservation techniques, and engagement in off-farm income-generating activities. Additionally, social networks and community-based organizations play a crucial role in disseminating climate-smart agricultural practices and providing support during times of crisis. Insights from this study contribute to a better understanding of smallholder farmers' resilience to climate extremes and inform strategies for enhancing their adaptive capacity in the face of ongoing climate change.
Downloads
References
Deressa, T. T., Hassan, R. M., & Ringler, C. (2010). Perception of and adaptation to climate change by farmers in the Nile basin of Ethiopia. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 149(1), 23-31.
Akrofi, M. M., & Hinson, R. (2018). Climate Change Adaptation among Smallholder Cocoa Farmers: A Case Study of the Juaboso District in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development, 11(1), 10-27.
Donkoh, S. A., & Atta, E. A. (2017). Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change: A study of smallholder farming households in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 19(4), 36-51.
Fosu-Mensah, B. Y., Vlek, P. L., & MacCarthy, D. S. (2012). Farmers' perception and adaptation to climate change: A case study of Sekyedumase district in Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 14(4), 495-505.
Mango, N., Makate, C., & Siziba, S. (2017). Climate change awareness and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe. Climate and Development, 9(2), 106-118.
Owusu, K., Waylen, P. R., & Allan, A. (2017). Coping with climate variability and change in Ghana: A synthesis of research findings for policy and practice. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 19(3), 1013-1033.
Obeng-Ofori, D., & Owusu, V. (2018). Factors influencing adaptation strategies to climate change among smallholder maize farmers in northern Ghana. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 16, 1-14.
Mensah-Bonsu, A., Twumasi, J., & Frimpong, K. (2018). Adapting to climate change: Farmers' perceptions and coping strategies in the Bosomtwe and Lake Basins in Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 20(2), 645-662.
Amenuvor, J. Z., Dzomeku, B. M., & Tchamya, S. C. (2017). Assessing the perception and adaptation to climate change and variability by smallholder farmers in the central region of Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 9(4), 83-90.
Arunyawat, S., & Aroonruengsawat, A. (2017). Small-scale farmers' adaptation to climate change in Northeast Thailand. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 19(5), 1819-1838.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2020 Ampah Nyarko
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All content published in the Journal of Applied Science and Social Science (JASSS) is protected by copyright. Authors retain the copyright to their work, and grant JASSS the right to publish the work under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). This license allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the author(s) for the original creation.
