scholarly journals Smallholder farmers’ perceptions and adaptive response to climate variability and climate change in southern rural Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1646626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampson Yamba ◽  
Divine Odame Appiah ◽  
Lawrencia Pokuah Siaw
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Adaptive Response ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Rural Ghana

scholarly journals Smallholder farmers’ insight on climate change in rural Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1436211
Author(s):  
Divine Odame Appiah ◽  
Alfred C.K. Akondoh ◽  
Rhoda Kromoh Tabiri ◽  
Amos Annan Donkor ◽  
Fatih Yildiz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Rural Ghana

Elderly smallholder farmers’ perceptions of and adaptation to climate variability and change in rural Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divine Odame Appiah ◽  
Felix Asante ◽  
Lois Antwi-Boadi ◽  
Richard Serbeh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pension Scheme ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to examine elderly smallholder farmers’ perceptions of and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Offinso Municipality, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This paper used quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were analyzed with frequencies and chi-square tests, whereas qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings The results showed that elderly smallholder farmers’ knowledge of climate variability and climate change were based on their sex, level of formal education and experience in farming. Elderly smallholder farmers adopted both on-farm and off-farm strategies to cope with climate change and variability. The vulnerability of elderly smallholder farmers to climate change calls for social protection mechanisms such as a pension scheme that guarantees access to monthly cash transfers. Such a scheme will ease constraints to livelihood and ensure improved well-being. Originality/value Elderly smallholder farmers have remained invisible in discourses on perceptions and adaptation to climate change despite the surge in number of this category of farmers. This paper therefore represents an attempt to highlight the experiences of elderly smallholder farmers with climate variability and change.

scholarly journals Influence of smallholder farmers’ perceptions on adaptation strategies to climate change and policy implications in Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Obert Jiri ◽  
Linda Mtali-Chafadza ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Agricultural Adaptation ◽  
The Government

AbstractSmallholder agricultural production is largely affected by climate change and variability. Despite the negative effects brought by climate variability, smallholder farmers are still able to derive livelihoods. An understanding of factors that influence farmers’ responses and adaptation to climate variability can improve decision making for governments and development partners. This study investigated farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change and how these influence adaptation policies at local level. A survey was conducted with 100 households randomly selected from Chiredzi district. Data collected was used to derive farmer perceptions to climate change as well as the influence of their perceptions and subsequent adaptation methods to ensuing local agricultural adaptation measures and policies. The results indicated that smallholder farmers perceived general reduction in long-term annual rainfall and rising local average temperatures. Adverse trends in rainfall and average temperature perceived by farmers were consistent with empirical data. These perceptions and other socio-economic factors helped to shape smallholder farmer agricultural adaptation strategies. Policy implications are that the government and development partners should seek ways to assist autonomous adaptations by farmers through investments in planned adaptation initiatives.

An analysis of climatic impacts and adaptation strategies in Tanzania

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy M. Ojoyi ◽  
Jean-Marc Mwenge Kahinda
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Picture

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate climate change perceptions and adaptation strategies in the communities of Morogoro region of Tanzania. Climate change is a vital issue of global concern. Design/methodology/approach – Rain fall data trends collected from different meteorological stations in the region were useful in assessment of climate variability and change trends from the historical perspective. In addition, quantitative interviews, surveys and focussed discussion groups were used to collect data capturing past and present trends in the catchment, and reasons provided by 199 respondents from a total of six villages. The data were collected with the aid of trained research assistants and trained graduates selected from each of the randomly select villages. Findings – Significant differences in rainfall intensities have been recorded by use of feedback results from analysis of variance tests conducted. Major indicators of climate variability and change include: increased dry spells (39.7 per cent), drying of rivers (34.7 per cent), a reduction in water flows (14.6 per cent) and poor economy of the area (11.1 per cent). Research limitations/implications – The scope of the study does not cover certain aspects such as the spatial and temporal changes in daily temperature which could have provided important and additional dimension. This study also did not take into consideration institutional arrangements required to successfully implement national adaptation programmes to climate change. Finally, it is important to remember that peoples’ perceptions determine the social mental picture of climate change. Practical implications – The study suggests the need for leverage on resource use through education and good governance strategies to be employed by resource planners, leaders and policy makers. Social implications – This study links scientific and participatory data as an approach for incorporating modern technologies and local knowledge into the design of useful practices and strategies as well as their successful implementation. Opinions from communities supported the urgent need for effective use and management of resources while laying emphasis on advancement of both indigenous and imported technologies. Originality/value – An understanding of how the community views climate change is crucial in design of practices aimed at improving their well-being. In this regard, a study investigating smallholder farmers’ views regarding major drivers of change, assessing main factors leading to changes in climate experienced and identifying potential coping strategies against climate change, was conducted in East Africa, Tanzania between 2009 and 2010. This paper identifies potential resilient practices intended to minimize destruction and maximize opportunities likely to benefit Morogoro region.

scholarly journals Factors Determining the Adoption of Strategies Used by Smallholder Farmers to Cope with Climate Variability in the Eastern Free State, South Africa

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 410
Author(s):  
Lindumusa Myeni ◽  
Mokhele Edmond Moeletsi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Free State ◽  
Scientific Practices ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Eastern Free State

This study was undertaken to understand the smallholder farmer’s perception of the effects of climate variability, their adaptation strategies to cope with climate variability and factors determining the adoption of their adaptation strategies in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa. Adaptation strategies were grouped into two categories, i.e., traditional adaptation strategies and scientific adaptation strategies. Traditional adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require minimal technical expertise and less external inputs such as changing from crops to livestock, crop diversification, increasing land under production, changing crop type and water harvesting. Scientific adaptation strategies consisted of practices that require additional external inputs, labour, and some level of technical expertise such as changing crop variety, improving soil fertility and soil conservation. Data were collected from 391 smallholder farmers using a structured household questionnaire and were verified through focus group discussion meetings with key informants. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and a binary logistic model. Results indicated that the majority of smallholder farmers perceived that climate change had triggered food-related impacts in the study area and had adopted at least one adaptation strategy. This study showed that awareness and knowledge were the key factors that determined the adoption of traditional adaptation strategies in the study area. The adoption of scientific adaptation strategies was additionally determined by the availability of external financial investments. It is recommended that the promotion of traditional practices should focus on raising awareness of climate change and adaptation strategies while the promotion of scientific practices additionally requires the provision and accessibility of financial institutional support and incentives.

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