Determinants of smallholder farmers' choice of coping and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability in the central highlands of Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 77-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arragaw Alemayehu ◽  
Woldeamlak Bewket
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Central Highlands

Smallholder Farmers’ Susceptibility to Climate Change Variability: Assessing Adaptation Strategies and Impact on livelihoods

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Tahiru
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Adaptation Processes ◽  
Adaptation Options

Climate change and variability present a new set of obstacles that smallholder farmers in the 21st century have to face, especially hitting farmers in developing countries hard. The livelihoods of many farmers have become exacerbated due to the adverse impact of climate change. Governments and non-governmental agencies have stepped up their roles in helping smallholder farmers rise to the challenge through novel adaptation strategies. Using content analysis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature sources, this paper discusses the concept of climate change adaptation and its impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. The susceptibility of smallholder farmers to climate change are discussed and various adaptation options and more importantly, their effect, are explored. The study concludes that interventions by government and non-governmental actors have an impact on the overall livelihood of smallholder farmers in terms of neutralizing the adverse impact brought forth by climate change. The study makes some recommendations, including advancing a combination of traditional and modern practices in adaptation processes; consideration of socio-demographic characteristics of farmers in the adaptation processes.

scholarly journals Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change and Variability: Evidence from Northern Ghana

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. M. ◽  
Prince Maxwell Etwire . ◽  
Yaw Osei-Owusu .
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability

Farmers have been modifying their practices in order to deal with climate change and variability. Even though such practices have been documented in other parts of Africa, information on Ghana and particularly northern Ghana is scanty. This study examines the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability in northern Ghana. The paper is based on primary data collected through a household survey, community focus group discussions and key informant interviews in order to identify the adaptation responses of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to climate change and variability. Several indigenous climate-related practices and technologies categorised into four strategies were identified. In addition, climate related technologies introduced by research, also categorised into four strategies, and were identified as being used by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana. The empirical results of the Friedman test indicates that timing of the onset of the rainy season which informed planting, and soil and plant health related strategies are the most important climate related strategies used by smallholder farmers in securing yield. The policy implication is that practical, timely and reliable information on the onset of the rainy season as well as region specific soil and plant health technologies should be generated and made available to smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change.

scholarly journals Assessing Maize Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability in Ghana

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustapha A. Sadiq ◽  
John K. M. Kuwornu ◽  
Ramatu M. Al-Hassan ◽  
Suhiyini I. Alhassan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Food And Agriculture

This study examined the adaptation strategies of maize farmers to climate change and variability in the Eastern Region of Ghana using primary data collected from 150 maize farming households by the administration of structured questionnaires. The results of the multinomial logit regression revealed that rainfall perception, access to credit, and farming experience significantly influenced the adoption of recommended agricultural practices, whereas the adoption of soil-related strategies is influenced by gender and rainfall perception. Farming experience and rainfall perception influenced the adoption of improved varieties strategies. This study highlights the need for the development of water resources for maize production in the context of the changing climate. In this respect, the crucial roles of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, the agricultural extension division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and other international organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Bank regarding the development of irrigation facilities and the associated capacity building of the farmers are very important. Finally, the formation of Water User Associations for the smallholder farmers regarding the usage and maintenance of the irrigation facilities would be a step in the right direction.

scholarly journals Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Practices for Maize Production in Eastern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Teshome ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Nigussie Dechassa ◽  
Tamado Tana ◽  
Matthew Huber
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Adaptation Practices

Climate change and variability is affecting maize (Zea mays L.) production in eastern Ethiopia but how farmers perceive the challenge and respond to it is not well documented. A study was conducted to analyze smallholder maize farmers’ perception of climate change/variability and identify their adaptation approaches and barriers for adaptation in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Meteorological data were assessed to provide evidence of the perceived change. A survey was conducted in six major maize-producing kebeles with a total of 364 respondents. A multi-stage sampling method was employed for selecting the sample units for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The results indicated that 78% of the sampled smallholder maize farmers perceived increasing temperatures while 83% perceived decreasing amounts of rainfall. About 75% of the farmers indicated that they became aware of climate change and variability from their own experience and perceived deforestation as the main cause. The farmers perceived that drought, diseases and pests, dwindling soil fertility, and declining crop yields were the major impacts of climate change that affected maize production. The farmers’ major adaptation practices include adjusting planting dates, using improved maize varieties, intercropping, recommended mineral fertilizers, supplementary irrigation, and soil and water conservation measures. Econometric analysis revealed that low educational level, shortage of land, large family sizes, age, lack of access to irrigation water, lack of access to credit, and lack of access to extension services were the most important barriers to climate change adaptation in the area. It is concluded that farmers cultivating maize in the study area have perceived climate change and use certain adaptation strategies to counter its negative impacts on maize production. This implies that policies should be geared towards strengthening farmers’ efforts to adapt to climate change and alleviate the existing barriers in promoting adaptation strategies for enhancing the productivity of maize.

Analysis of smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in south Wollo, north east highlands of Ethiopia: An agro-ecological system-based approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yimer Mohammed ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Menfese Tadesse ◽  
Fantaw Yimer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
North East ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract Background: Climate change and variability has been significantly affecting the Ethiopian agricultural production and thereby smallholder farmers livelihoods. The level of vulnerability varied across agro-ecological zones (AEZs). Identification of difference in the level of vulnerability of a system is important in selecting appropriate and effective adaption options to climate change. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the level of vulnerability of agricultural communities to climate change and variability at micro-scale level in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of south Wollo, north east highlands of Ethiopia. Data was collected from a representative of 502 sample households from five AEZs through multi stage random sampling methods. Focus group discussion and key informant interviews were also carried out to supplement and substantiate the quantitative data. The indicator based approach was used to empirically calculate vulnerability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to give weight for indicators and generate index of vulnerability contributing factors. Results: The results showed that each of the vulnerability contributing factors (exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity) varied across the AEZs. M3, SM2 and SM3 are the most exposed AEZs but having a relatively better adaptive capacity whereas M1, M2 and M3 are the most sensitive AEZs with relatively low adaptive capacity to climate variability and change. Overall, SM2 is the most vulnerable AEZ which exhibited high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity followed by M1. Conclusions: The study explored sources and levels of vulnerability to each agro-ecology. Since the study is conducted at micro-scale level, it helps decision makers and development partners to have context-specific understanding of the impact of climate change and variability and design appropriate adaptation measures to address the specific situations.

Multi-dimensional coping and adaptation strategies of small-scale fishing communities of Bangladesh to climate change induced stressors

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apurba Krishna Deb ◽  
C. Emdad Haque
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Development ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Fishing Communities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fishing Villages ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
The Face

Purpose Coastal and floodplain areas are on the frontline of climate change in Bangladesh. Small-scale coastal and floodplain fishing communities of the country face a host of cross-scale stressors continually, some induced by climate change, and they have developed coping and adaption strategies based on customary social and experiential learnings. This paper aims to examine the coping and adaptation strategies that small-scale fishing communities undertake in the face of stresses including climate change and variability. Design/methodology/approach This research takes a nuanced ethnographic-oriented approach based on around two-year-long field study in two coastal and floodplain fishing villages, represented by two distinct ethnic groups. The study adopts direct observational methods to denote the ways small-scale fishing communities address the arrays of stressors to construct and reconstruct their survival and livelihood needs. Findings It was observed that fishers’ coping and adaptation strategies comprise a fluid combination of complex overlapping sets of actions that the households undertake based on their capitals and capabilities, perceptions, socio-cultural embeddedness and experiential learnings from earlier adverse situations. Broadly, these are survival, economic, physiological, social, institutional and religiosity-psychological in nature. Adaptation mechanisms involve some implicit principles or self-provisioning actions that households are compelled to do or choose under given sets of abnormal stresses to reach certain levels of livelihood functions. Originality/value Based on empirical field research, this paper recognizes small-scale fishers’ capability and adaptability in addressing climate change-induced stresses. Policymakers, international development planners, climate scientists and social workers can learn from these grassroots-level coping and adaptation strategies of fishing communities to minimize the adverse effects of climate change and variations.

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