Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the di... more Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the direct dependence of their livelihood portfolios on climate-related systems. In northern Ghana, smallholder agriculture is predominantly rainfed, making crop farming very vulnerable to changes and variability in rainfall and other extreme climatic events. Therefore, this paper examined how smallholder farmers in northwestern Ghana have been adapting to climate change over the years to sustain household food security. The study employed a qualitative research design, relying on qualitative methods of selection of participants, data collection and analysis. The findings show that smallholder farmers employ a diversity of adaptation strategies. These include setting up of multiple farms, changes in the techniques of raising mounds (gbaala) to flat ploughed lands (pari-jabing) for planting, adoption of improved maize varieties
Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the di... more Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the direct dependence of their livelihood portfolios on climate-related systems. In northern Ghana, smallholder agriculture is predominantly rainfed, making crop farming very vulnerable to changes and variability in rainfall and other extreme climatic events. Therefore, this paper examined how smallholder farmers in northwestern Ghana have been adapting to climate change over the years to sustain household food security. The study employed a qualitative research design, relying on qualitative methods of selection of participants, data collection and analysis. The findings show that smallholder farmers employ a diversity of adaptation strategies. These include setting up of multiple farms, changes in the techniques of raising mounds (gbaala) to flat ploughed lands (pari-jabing) for planting, adoption of improved maize varieties
This paper explores local knowledge of the Sisaala on the causes of climate change and variabilit... more This paper explores local knowledge of the Sisaala on the causes of climate change and variability in rural northwestern Ghana and the implications for development planning. While debates arising from western scientific research on the causes of climate change are clearer at the global and regional scales, knowledge of localized perspectives is often lacking to bring completeness to the diversity of understandings imperative for informing development planning at local levels, especially in Africa. This paper contributes to filling this gap and draws on data collected from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from a cross section of people in the Sissala East District. From local perspectives, climate change is caused by multiple factors, including the felling of trees, bush burning, over grazing, use of modern agriculture machinery and agrochemicals, breakdown in spirituality, traditional religion, and values for biodiversity conservation. The paper argues that local knowledge on the causes of climate variability largely corroborates the anthropogenic view of the causes of climate change; and that perspectives on the spiritual cause of climate change is attributable to a holistic worldview of the indigenous Sissala. The paper underscores the relevance of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Planning (CCMAP) in the context of decentralization and local governance. It emphasizes the importance of Endogenous Development (ED) and Behavioral Change Communication approaches to district development planning for maximizing local knowledge and resources for achieving sustainability.
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
Purpose This paper aims to draw on community risk assessment (CRA) for assessing vulnerability to... more Purpose This paper aims to draw on community risk assessment (CRA) for assessing vulnerability to climate change in north-western Ghana, focusing on sunshine, temperature and wind, elements of climate which are seldom explored in vulnerability assessments to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on data collected from a qualitative research design that used participatory rural appraisal methods, particularly, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and seasonal calendar analysis in three selected rural communities of the Sissala East District. Furthermore, an inter-generational framework was adopted for comparative assessment of vulnerability and changes in vulnerability to climate change. Findings The results show that the current generation of smallholder farmers is more vulnerable to climate change than the past generation, the era of grandparents. Thus, farmers are exposed to higher-intensity sunshine, temperature and wind in contemporary times than wa...
This article analysed vulnerability of smallholder agriculture to climate variability, particular... more This article analysed vulnerability of smallholder agriculture to climate variability, particularly the alternating incidences of drought and heavy precipitation events in Ghana. Although there is an unmet need for understanding the linkages between climate change and livelihoods, the urgent need for climate change adaptation planning (CCAP) in response to climate change makes vulnerability assessment even more compelling in development research. The data for analysis were collected from two complementary studies. These included a regional survey in the Upper West Region and an in-depth study in three selected communities in the Sissala East District. The results showed that smallholder agriculture is significantly vulnerable to climate variability in the region and that three layers of vulnerability can be identified in a ladder of vulnerability. Firstly, farmers are confronted with the double tragedy of droughts and heavy precipitation events, which adversely affect both crops and...
Climate change is a daunting challenge to smallholder agriculture in northern Ghana over the year... more Climate change is a daunting challenge to smallholder agriculture in northern Ghana over the years. Climatic conditions continue to demonstrate significant levels of variability on annual and decadal bases, making smallholder agriculture more vulnerable. The aim of the study was to explore the potential use of local and indigenous knowledge of smallholder farmers in promoting climate compatible agriculture in northern Ghana and how this interface with scientific knowledge. To respond to the study aim, four research objectives were spelt out and these are further elaborated upon in chapter 1 under section 1.4. The study adopted a mixed methods research design where quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in data collection and analyses. Data were collected through a household survey, face-to-face interviews, observation, and focus groups discussions. Participants for the face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were purposively selected, while participants for the household survey were selected through cluster and simple random sampling approaches. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 20) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 365), and thematic analyses conducted for the qualitative data. The study found that smallholder farmers’ perceptions of increasing variability of rainfall and temperature patterns in North-western Ghana were confirmed by meteorological data where annual rainfall was decreasing with increasing annual temperatures over the past decades. It was also revealed that smallholder farmers employed multiple farm and non-farm-based strategies by interfacing scientific, local and indigenous knowledge systems to promote climate compatible agriculture. There were also varied levels of awareness on climate compatible farming practices among smallholder farmers with the need for more awareness creation scientific-based practices. It further emerged that smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt local and indigenous knowledge-based climate compatible practices were variedly influenced by accessibility, reliability, and awareness of knowledge; access to farm capital; land tenure; access to extension services; household demographic characteristics; landscape and farm distance; and socio-cultural beliefs. Based on the key findings and conclusions emerging from the work, several interventions are suggested. These include sensitisation, education, and training of smallholder farmers on climate compatible practices that effectively mainstream local and indigenous knowledge into scientific practices to improve capacities and enhance increased productivity and food security that should be prioritised by all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain in northern Ghana. The thesis is another value-add to the growing body of knowledge in Ghana and globally that will enhance policy reformation in the area of focus. Furthermore, new knowledge gaps that emerged can either be taken up for postdoctoral work or by other scholars.
Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the di... more Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the direct dependence of their livelihood portfolios on climate-related systems. In northern Ghana, smallholder agriculture is predominantly rainfed, making crop farming very vulnerable to changes and variability in rainfall and other extreme climatic events. Therefore, this paper examined how smallholder farmers in northwestern Ghana have been adapting to climate change over the years to sustain household food security. The study employed a qualitative research design, relying on qualitative methods of selection of participants, data collection and analysis. The findings show that smallholder farmers employ a diversity of adaptation strategies. These include setting up of multiple farms, changes in the techniques of raising mounds (gbaala) to flat ploughed lands (pari-jabing) for planting, adoption of improved maize varieties
Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the di... more Smallholder farmers have been on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change due to the direct dependence of their livelihood portfolios on climate-related systems. In northern Ghana, smallholder agriculture is predominantly rainfed, making crop farming very vulnerable to changes and variability in rainfall and other extreme climatic events. Therefore, this paper examined how smallholder farmers in northwestern Ghana have been adapting to climate change over the years to sustain household food security. The study employed a qualitative research design, relying on qualitative methods of selection of participants, data collection and analysis. The findings show that smallholder farmers employ a diversity of adaptation strategies. These include setting up of multiple farms, changes in the techniques of raising mounds (gbaala) to flat ploughed lands (pari-jabing) for planting, adoption of improved maize varieties
This paper explores local knowledge of the Sisaala on the causes of climate change and variabilit... more This paper explores local knowledge of the Sisaala on the causes of climate change and variability in rural northwestern Ghana and the implications for development planning. While debates arising from western scientific research on the causes of climate change are clearer at the global and regional scales, knowledge of localized perspectives is often lacking to bring completeness to the diversity of understandings imperative for informing development planning at local levels, especially in Africa. This paper contributes to filling this gap and draws on data collected from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from a cross section of people in the Sissala East District. From local perspectives, climate change is caused by multiple factors, including the felling of trees, bush burning, over grazing, use of modern agriculture machinery and agrochemicals, breakdown in spirituality, traditional religion, and values for biodiversity conservation. The paper argues that local knowledge on the causes of climate variability largely corroborates the anthropogenic view of the causes of climate change; and that perspectives on the spiritual cause of climate change is attributable to a holistic worldview of the indigenous Sissala. The paper underscores the relevance of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Planning (CCMAP) in the context of decentralization and local governance. It emphasizes the importance of Endogenous Development (ED) and Behavioral Change Communication approaches to district development planning for maximizing local knowledge and resources for achieving sustainability.
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
Purpose This paper aims to draw on community risk assessment (CRA) for assessing vulnerability to... more Purpose This paper aims to draw on community risk assessment (CRA) for assessing vulnerability to climate change in north-western Ghana, focusing on sunshine, temperature and wind, elements of climate which are seldom explored in vulnerability assessments to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on data collected from a qualitative research design that used participatory rural appraisal methods, particularly, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and seasonal calendar analysis in three selected rural communities of the Sissala East District. Furthermore, an inter-generational framework was adopted for comparative assessment of vulnerability and changes in vulnerability to climate change. Findings The results show that the current generation of smallholder farmers is more vulnerable to climate change than the past generation, the era of grandparents. Thus, farmers are exposed to higher-intensity sunshine, temperature and wind in contemporary times than wa...
This article analysed vulnerability of smallholder agriculture to climate variability, particular... more This article analysed vulnerability of smallholder agriculture to climate variability, particularly the alternating incidences of drought and heavy precipitation events in Ghana. Although there is an unmet need for understanding the linkages between climate change and livelihoods, the urgent need for climate change adaptation planning (CCAP) in response to climate change makes vulnerability assessment even more compelling in development research. The data for analysis were collected from two complementary studies. These included a regional survey in the Upper West Region and an in-depth study in three selected communities in the Sissala East District. The results showed that smallholder agriculture is significantly vulnerable to climate variability in the region and that three layers of vulnerability can be identified in a ladder of vulnerability. Firstly, farmers are confronted with the double tragedy of droughts and heavy precipitation events, which adversely affect both crops and...
Climate change is a daunting challenge to smallholder agriculture in northern Ghana over the year... more Climate change is a daunting challenge to smallholder agriculture in northern Ghana over the years. Climatic conditions continue to demonstrate significant levels of variability on annual and decadal bases, making smallholder agriculture more vulnerable. The aim of the study was to explore the potential use of local and indigenous knowledge of smallholder farmers in promoting climate compatible agriculture in northern Ghana and how this interface with scientific knowledge. To respond to the study aim, four research objectives were spelt out and these are further elaborated upon in chapter 1 under section 1.4. The study adopted a mixed methods research design where quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in data collection and analyses. Data were collected through a household survey, face-to-face interviews, observation, and focus groups discussions. Participants for the face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were purposively selected, while participants for the household survey were selected through cluster and simple random sampling approaches. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 20) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 365), and thematic analyses conducted for the qualitative data. The study found that smallholder farmers’ perceptions of increasing variability of rainfall and temperature patterns in North-western Ghana were confirmed by meteorological data where annual rainfall was decreasing with increasing annual temperatures over the past decades. It was also revealed that smallholder farmers employed multiple farm and non-farm-based strategies by interfacing scientific, local and indigenous knowledge systems to promote climate compatible agriculture. There were also varied levels of awareness on climate compatible farming practices among smallholder farmers with the need for more awareness creation scientific-based practices. It further emerged that smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt local and indigenous knowledge-based climate compatible practices were variedly influenced by accessibility, reliability, and awareness of knowledge; access to farm capital; land tenure; access to extension services; household demographic characteristics; landscape and farm distance; and socio-cultural beliefs. Based on the key findings and conclusions emerging from the work, several interventions are suggested. These include sensitisation, education, and training of smallholder farmers on climate compatible practices that effectively mainstream local and indigenous knowledge into scientific practices to improve capacities and enhance increased productivity and food security that should be prioritised by all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain in northern Ghana. The thesis is another value-add to the growing body of knowledge in Ghana and globally that will enhance policy reformation in the area of focus. Furthermore, new knowledge gaps that emerged can either be taken up for postdoctoral work or by other scholars.
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The study adopted a mixed methods research design where quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in data collection and analyses. Data were collected through a household survey, face-to-face interviews, observation, and focus groups discussions. Participants for the face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were purposively selected, while participants for the household survey were selected through cluster and simple random sampling approaches. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 20) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 365), and thematic analyses conducted for the qualitative data.
The study found that smallholder farmers’ perceptions of increasing variability of rainfall and temperature patterns in North-western Ghana were confirmed by meteorological data where annual rainfall was decreasing with increasing annual temperatures over the past decades. It was also revealed that smallholder farmers employed multiple farm and non-farm-based strategies by interfacing scientific, local and indigenous knowledge systems to promote climate compatible agriculture. There were also varied levels of awareness on climate compatible farming practices among smallholder farmers with the need for more awareness creation scientific-based practices. It further emerged that smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt local and indigenous knowledge-based climate compatible practices were variedly influenced by accessibility, reliability, and awareness of knowledge; access to farm capital; land tenure; access to extension services; household demographic characteristics; landscape and farm distance; and socio-cultural beliefs.
Based on the key findings and conclusions emerging from the work, several interventions are suggested. These include sensitisation, education, and training of smallholder farmers on climate compatible practices that effectively mainstream local and indigenous knowledge into scientific practices to improve capacities and enhance increased productivity and food security that should be prioritised by all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain in northern Ghana. The thesis is another value-add to the growing body of knowledge in Ghana and globally that will enhance policy reformation in the area of focus. Furthermore, new knowledge gaps that emerged can either be taken up for postdoctoral work or by other scholars.
Key words: Climate change, climate compatible agriculture, local and indigenous knowledge, scientific knowledge, smallholder farmers, vulnerability, adoption decisions, awareness, adaptation, North-western Ghana.
The study adopted a mixed methods research design where quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in data collection and analyses. Data were collected through a household survey, face-to-face interviews, observation, and focus groups discussions. Participants for the face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were purposively selected, while participants for the household survey were selected through cluster and simple random sampling approaches. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 20) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 365), and thematic analyses conducted for the qualitative data.
The study found that smallholder farmers’ perceptions of increasing variability of rainfall and temperature patterns in North-western Ghana were confirmed by meteorological data where annual rainfall was decreasing with increasing annual temperatures over the past decades. It was also revealed that smallholder farmers employed multiple farm and non-farm-based strategies by interfacing scientific, local and indigenous knowledge systems to promote climate compatible agriculture. There were also varied levels of awareness on climate compatible farming practices among smallholder farmers with the need for more awareness creation scientific-based practices. It further emerged that smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt local and indigenous knowledge-based climate compatible practices were variedly influenced by accessibility, reliability, and awareness of knowledge; access to farm capital; land tenure; access to extension services; household demographic characteristics; landscape and farm distance; and socio-cultural beliefs.
Based on the key findings and conclusions emerging from the work, several interventions are suggested. These include sensitisation, education, and training of smallholder farmers on climate compatible practices that effectively mainstream local and indigenous knowledge into scientific practices to improve capacities and enhance increased productivity and food security that should be prioritised by all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain in northern Ghana. The thesis is another value-add to the growing body of knowledge in Ghana and globally that will enhance policy reformation in the area of focus. Furthermore, new knowledge gaps that emerged can either be taken up for postdoctoral work or by other scholars.
Key words: Climate change, climate compatible agriculture, local and indigenous knowledge, scientific knowledge, smallholder farmers, vulnerability, adoption decisions, awareness, adaptation, North-western Ghana.