Local farmers’ experiences and perceptions of climate change in the Northern Savannah zone of Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Kofi Teye ◽  
Joseph Awetori Yaro ◽  
Simon Bawakyillenuo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Control Climate ◽  
Savannah Zone ◽  
Local Farmers

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the perceptions and experiences of climate change by local farmers in the Northern Savannah zone of Ghana. Although recent scholarship shows that local people’s perceptions of climate change is necessary for devising strategies to deal with the problem, only a few researchers have examined local knowledge of climate change in Africa. Design/methodology/approach – Primary data were collected from six rural communities in the Northern Savannah zone of Ghana, using a questionnaire survey on a sample of 530 farmers, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse variations in experience and perception of climate change. Findings – A majority of the farmers have noticed rising temperatures and declining rainfall. Their observations largely correspond with the evidence of changes recorded by weather monitoring stations. The perception of climate change is associated with locality of residence, gender and ownership of radio. The impacts of climate and variability include declining crop output, food insecurity and water stress. Respondents attributed changes in climatic parameters to economic activities and spiritual factors. It is recommended that environmental managers should actively involve local farmers in the design and implementation of policies to control climate change and variability. Originality/value – The methodology used demonstrates how multinomial logit models can be used to investigate perceptions of climate change. The research findings also provide very useful information that can be relied upon to design policies to deal with climate change and variability in Ghana.

scholarly journals Climate change and variability perceptions in Ga-Dikgale community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-405
Author(s):  
Enerst Shingai Chikosi ◽  
Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa ◽  
Happy Mathew Tirivangasi ◽  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Rainfall Patterns

Purpose Perceptions of climate change and its threats to rural communities are among major challenges faced by scientists around the world. A few studies prove that these communities are aware of change in climatic conditions and their impacts on people’s livelihoods. Climate change is usually perceived as increasing warming days, erratic rainfall patterns, ecological variability, biological change and their adverse effects on human beings. This study aims to assess Ga-Dikgale community’s perceptions on climate change and variability. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method was adopted and community members of age 60 and above in GaDikgale community were purposively selected as participants in the study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Findings The study found that the community perceives climate change and climate variability based on changes in temperature patterns, erratic rainfall patterns, seasonal change, depletion of biodiversity, decline in subsistence crop production, change in water quality and cessation of cultural activities. Originality/value The study concludes that community’s perceptions of climate change are largely centred on variations in temperature and rainfall patterns. It has been established that knowledge of climate change in rural communities is of paramount importance in as far as adaptation to climate hazards is concerned.

scholarly journals Rethinking indigenous climate governance through climate change and variability discourse by a Zimbabwean rural community

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 730-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shingirai Stanley Mugambiwa ◽  
Joseph Rudigi Rukema
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Climate Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Change Perceptions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess indigenous climate governance through climate change and variability discourse by a rural Zimbabwean community. In Zimbabwe, climate governance has largely been presented from a political angle as indicated in the current climate governance structure. Apparently, the structure does not directly involve rural communities who at the same time suffer the most from the effects of climate change. Hence, the study intends to demonstrate that the manner in which humans perceive climate change influences their responses and actions vis-à-vis climate governance. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used 20 participants from a rural community in Zimbabwe. Their experiences were used as lances through which indigenous climate governance could be envisioned and executed. In-depth interviews were used to collect data and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Findings The study found that climate change perceptions and observations of weather conditions informs the community’s decisions on how to adapt to the impacts of climate change vis-à-vis indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) climate governance. The study also proposed a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exists in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This was considered significant because of the fact that it closely accommodates the community based on their lifestyle. Originality/value The study proposes a paradigm shift from a Western-oriented climate governance structure that currently exist in Zimbabwe to an indigenous model through a proposed IKS governance structure. This is arrived at by assessing climate change perceptions, narratives and experiences by community members. This is of particular importance because a few scholars have explored climate governance via IKS.

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.

scholarly journals Climate change and variability: a review of what is known and ought to be known for Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 752-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Wasswa Nsubuga ◽  
Hannes Rautenbach
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Recent Climate

Purpose In view of the consensus that climate change is happening, scientists have documented several findings about Uganda’s recent climate, as well as its variability and change. The purpose of this study is to review what has been documented, thus it gives an overview of what is known and seeks to explain the implications of a changing climate, hence what ought to be known to create a climate resilient environment. Design/methodology/approach Terms such as “climate”, “climate change” and “climate variability” were identified in recent peer-reviewed published literature to find recent climate-related literature on Uganda. Findings from independent researchers and consultants are incorporated. Data obtained from rainfall and temperature observations and from COSMO-CLM Regional Climate Model-Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CCLM CORDEX) data, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) have been used to generate spatial maps, seasonal outputs and projections using GrADS 2.02 and Geographic Information System (GIS) software for visualization. Findings The climate of Uganda is tropical in nature and influenced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), varied relief, geo-location and inland lakes, among other factors. The impacts of severe weather and climate trends and variability have been documented substantially in the past 20-30 years. Most studies indicated a rainfall decline. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are on the rise, while projections indicate a decrease in rainfall and increase in temperature both in the near and far future. The implication of these changes on society and the economy are discussed herein. Cost of inaction is expected to become huge, given factors like, the growing rate of the population and the slow expanding economy experienced in Uganda. Varied forms of adaptation to the impacts of climate change are being implemented, especially in the agricultural sector and at house hold level, though not systematically. Originality/value This review of scientific research findings aims to create a better understanding of the recent climate change and variability in Uganda and provides a baseline of summarized information for use in future research and actions.

An institutional analysis of the emergence and institutionalisation of Islamic banking practices in Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1725-1738
Author(s):  
A.K. Siti-Nabiha ◽  
Noval Adib
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Islamic Revival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the purposeful actions of key actors who corroborated the emergence and institutionalisation of Islamic banking practices in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach A documentary analysis approach is used in the paper, with the analysis being guided by insights from institutional work perspectives. Findings The emergence and institutionalisation of Islamic banking practices were influenced significantly by the changing dynamics of the institutional field and the social and political context in Indonesia, especially the Islamic revival in the 1980s and later on the political accommodation of Islam. These were then leveraged by various key actors through their institutional works. These actors, with their own specific roles, worked independently and later on together to establish Islamic banking practices in Indonesia. The findings also show the shifting priorities of the actors from compliance with religious edicts to promoting avenues for Muslim participation in economic activities. Research limitations/implications This paper is mainly based on documentary data; hence, the findings would be richer with primary data. Originality/value This research provides further understanding of how the Islamic banking idea can be pursued through the specific work of certain actors.

Evaluating renewable energy choices among rural communities in Nigeria. An insight for energy policy

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Innocent Okwanya ◽  
Abdulkareem Alhassan ◽  
Job Pristine Migap ◽  
Simon Adeka Sunday
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
North Central ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Policy Incentives

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of policy incentives and cost on the choice and use of renewable energy in North-Central Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study are collected from a sample of 290 respondents drawn from across 6 states in North-Central Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. This study uses descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression to analyze the data. Findings The findings reveal that there is a huge potential demand for renewable energy sources (particularly solar photovoltaic) in the rural communities in Nigeria. It also indicates a positive and highly significant relationship between the level of awareness, availability and income and the use (consumption) of renewable energy sources among the rural communities. Furthermore, the cost of installation and maintenance of renewable energy, its reliability and availability are significant determinants of renewable energy choices among rural inhabitants in Nigeria. Practical implications The authors submit that inefficient policy strategies, high cost of installation and lack of awareness remain the major hindrances to the use of more efficient renewable energy sources. From a policy point of view, a viable strategy for effective use of renewable energy sources is the involvement of government, development partners and agencies for the funding of renewable energy technology in the rural sector of the country. The usage of modern renewable energy would increase if policy incentives are aimed at covering parts of the maintenance and installation cost of renewable energy users. The authors recommend that apart from creating awareness on the benefits of renewable energy, policymakers should provide a desirable policy environment for private energy firms to supply renewable energy at an affordable cost to the rural communities in Nigeria. Social implications A majority of the rural households in Nigeria, as shown in this article, are poor and therefore use firewood as their main source of cooking energy because of the cost of renewable energy. Originality/value Despite the abundance of renewable energy sources and government effort at improving renewable energy use, more than 15 million people live without access to electricity and 54 million are without modern energy services for cooking and lightening in Nigeria. A total of 61% of these people live in rural areas. Therefore, this study is novel in providing energy policy insights for rural communities in North-Central Nigeria.

Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aung Tun Oo ◽  
Guido Van Huylenbroeck ◽  
Stijn Speelman
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dry Zone ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Purpose Climate change negatively affects agricultural crop production in the dry zone region of Myanmar. This paper aims to examine climate change adaptation strategies of farmers in the dry zone region. Farmers’ choice for adaptation strategies is influenced by many factors such as the practical availability and by socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. They are moreover influenced by the perception about climate change and by the specific problems prevailing in the farming systems. Design/methodology/approach This research is carried out in Magwe district in the dry zone region of Myanmar using a random selection of 212 farmers from three Townships (Magwe, Yenanchaung and Chauk). A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was applied to assess the factors affecting the choice by farmers for adaptation strategies. Findings The study found that in the past, farmers used to apply locally available indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. However, recently, most farmers seem to have shifted to introduced adaptation strategies. The most popular adaptation strategy is to adjust the planting dates and sowing method (56.1 per cent). Furthermore, farmers identified a number of barriers that limit the adoption of adaptation methods. Risk is found to be an important driver of crop diversification. Finally, the MLR model showed that information from radio, access to seeds and extension services affect the choice of adaptation strategies. Originality/value The study shows that adoption of locally available indigenous climate change adaptation methods is gradually decreasing, and there is a shift to introduced adaptation strategies. The study can assist public and private organizations to obtain insight in the determinants of climate change adaptation in the dry zone region of Myanmar.

Economic impacts of climate change and variability on agricultural production in the Middle East and North Africa region

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Alboghdady ◽  
Salah E. El-Hendawy
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Cent Increase ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of climate change and variability on agricultural production in Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) where the deleterious impacts of climate change are generally projected to be greatest. Design/methodology/approach The study used a production function model using Fixed Effect Regression (FER) analysis and then using marginal impact analysis to assess the impact of climate change and variability on agricultural production. Therefore, the study utilized panel data for the period 1961-2009 pooled from 20 countries in MENA region. Findings Results showed that 1 per cent increase in temperature during winter resulted in 1.12 per cent decrease in agricultural production. It was also observed that 1 per cent increase in temperature variability during winter and spring resulted in 0.09 and 0.14 per cent decrease in agricultural production, respectively. Results also indicated that increasing precipitation during winter and fall season and precipitation variability during winter and summer seasons had negative impact. The estimated parameters of square temperature and precipitation indicated that climate change has significant nonlinear impacts on agricultural production in MENA region. Originality/value Despite there are many studies on the impact of climate change on agricultural production, there is a lack of publications to address the economic impact of both climate change and variability on agricultural production in MENA region. Thus, these results are more comprehensive and more informative to policymakers than the results from field trials.

Analysis of arable crop farmers’ awareness to causes and effects of climate change in south western Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 614-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakirat Bolatito Ibrahim ◽  
Idris Akanbi Ayinde ◽  
Aisha Olushola Arowolo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Arable Crop

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the determinants of arable crop farmers’ awareness to causes and effects of climate change in south western Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – Using primary data, 150 arable crop farmers in Ogun State were selected through a multi stage sampling technique. Survey method was used to elicit information on farmers’ socioeconomic, production characteristics, and their level of awareness to causes and effects of climate change. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, environmental awareness index (EAI), and Tobit regression analysis. Findings – Most (81.08 percent) of the arable crop farmers were males with an average household size of eight persons, farming experience of 24 years and farm size of approximately 1 ha. The computed climate change EAI showed that only 47 percent of the respondents were aware of causes of climate change, while 68 percent were aware of its effects. Results further revealed that age, income from secondary occupation (p < 0.10), marital status, household size (p < 0.05), years of farming experience, frequency of extension contact, land size in hectare, and farm revenue (p < 0.01) were the determinants of respondents awareness to causes and effects of climate change. Practical implications – The study recommended among others that, awareness should be created among arable crop farmers on climate change causes and effects for appropriate mitigation actions to be taken for improved agricultural productivity. Originality/value – The study provided new empirical evidence on the awareness level of respondents to causes and effects of climate change on their production activities and livelihood in general. Implications for policy will be to provide a public education program that will target females, the poor, the illiterate, and the people in the economically active age group among others in order to create awareness and provide information and adequate knowledge on the causes and effects of climate change for proper mitigation and adaptation options.

scholarly journals Implications of ICT for Development on Enhancing Rural Entrepreneur Program (REP) at Telecentres in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 629-642
Author(s):  
Marhaini Mohd Noor ◽  
Noreha Hashim ◽  
Rahaya Md. Jamin
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Entrepreneur ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Ict For Development

This paper examines rural social entrepreneurship program in rural Malaysia communities. The program seeks to promote and turn rural entrepreneurs into social entrepreneurs by strengthening their economic activities and enhancing social capital. This paper focuses on a component of the rural entrepreneur program (REP), namely the Social Entrepreneur Club (SEC). The club runs the rural entrepreneur program and upholds the program’s objectives. It promotes the socialization of rural communities by engaging them in entrepreneurial activities. The club operates under the Rural Internet Centre (RIC); a telecentre that provides space for rural communities to enhance their ICT knowledge and skills. However, despite the opportunity provided, some of the rural entrepreneurs do not show adequate interest in the program as they prefer being entrepreneurs, but not social entrepreneurs. Thus, the success of the SECs depends on the entrepreneurs’ participation in the program, the geographical locations and the support from the telecentre managers. This paper employs the economic gardening concept and community informatics approach to empirically gather evidence to test the theory on ICT for development; particularly rural development for rural communities. A quantitative method has been used to measure the implications of ICT in this program. Data from the entrepreneurs is obtained through an online survey which has been conducted across the varying regions in Malaysia. The quantitative data is supported by interviews (qualitative method) with telecentre managers. The primary data has been triangulated to analyze the results. The key findings show that the SEC is seen as economic development strategy by creating jobs, as well as increasing income and business opportunities. It also strengthens social networking needed to build social capital within and outside of the rural communities. Hence SEC is also a community connector and can be used as an indicator on the quality of rural communities’ wellbeing.

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