Climate Variability Effect on Food Crop Yield among the Smallholder Farmers in Lower Offin River Basin, Ghana

Mensah-Brako, Bismark; Kotei, R

doi:10.15640/jaes.v8n2a9

“…Previous studies have also shown that varying temperature fluctuations, heat waves, relative humidity, and rainfall are bound to compromise agricultural production as substantial losses are observed in the yield of grains such as rice, millet, sorghum, and maize in Nigeria (Sokoto et al 2016). It was similarly found that maize along with other cereals were more susceptible to climate variability with untold consequence on the yield (Bismark and Richard 2019). Similarly, it was found that yields and productivity of maize, millet, sorghum, and rice were negatively affected by unfavorable climatic conditions such as drought, excessive temperature, and low rainfall (Bamiro et al 2020).…”

Section: The Impact Of Climate Variability On Agriculture In Nigeriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Aderinoye-Abdulwahab

¹

,

Abdulbaki

²

2021

African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation

3

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Agriculture is the art and science of food production which spans soil cultivation, crop growing, and livestock rearing. Over the years, it has served as a means of employment and accounts for more than one-third of total gross domestic product. Cereals, which include rice, maize, and sorghum, are the major dietary energy suppliers and they provide significant amounts of protein, minerals (potassium and calcium), and vitamins (vitamin A and C). The growth and good yield of cereal crop can be greatly influenced by elements of weather and climate such as temperature, sunlight, and relative humidity. While climate determines the choice of what plant to cultivate and how to cultivate, it has been undoubtedly identified as one of the fundamental factors that determine both crop cultivation and livestock keeping. The chapter, though theoretical, adopted Kwara State, Nigeria, as the focus due to favorable weather conditions that support grains production. It was observed that the effect of climate change on cereal production includes: drastic reduction in grains production, reduction in farmers’ profit level, increment in cost during production, diversification to nonfarming activities, and discouragement of youth from participating in agricultural activities. Also, the adopted coping strategies employed by farmers in the focus site were early planting, planting of improved variety, irrigation activities, alternates crop rotation, and cultivation of more agricultural areas. The chapter thus concluded that climate change has negative impact on cereals production and recommends that government should provide communal irrigation facilities that will cushion the effect of low rains on farmers’ productivity, while early planting and cultivation of drought-resistant cultivars should be encouraged.

show abstract

Climate variability and impacts on maize (Zea mays) yield in Ghana, West Africa

Atiah

¹

,

Amekudzi

²

,

Akum

³

et al. 2021

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rain-fed agriculture is predominantly the primary source of livelihood in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, it employs over 60% of the population and contributes to about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite the relevance of rain-fed agriculture to the socioe-conomic development of the country, studies investigating the impacts of climate variability on crop yield in the region are limited. This prevents the growth of relevant policy frameworks to address the threats posed by climate variability on crop production. As a contribution to guide policy planning and food security in Ghana, the present study seeks to analyze the vulnerability of maize yield to rainfall, soil moisture, and minimum and maximum temperature variability in Ghana. Moreover, the study assesses the impact of below-normal and above-normal rainfall conditions on maize yield in the country. The results show a decreasing trend in rainfall and soil moisture and an increasing trend in the maize yield and minimum and maximum temperature in Ghana. The individual climate variables (rainfall, soil moisture, minimum and maximum temperature) account for approximately 4.2, 22.5, 39.2, and 23.1%, respectively, of the annual maize yield variations throughout the study period. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that soil moisture and minimum and maximum temperature account for approximately 75% of the variation of maize yield under wetter-than-normal conditions in Ghana. This implies that, under wetter-than-normal rainfall conditions, 25% of the variation in maize yield could be attributable to non-climatic conditions or practices. In like manner, climatic parameters account for 40.8% of maize yield under drier-than-normal rainfall conditions in the country. This study, therefore, recommends investment in climate-smart agronomic technologies such as access to improved seed, extension and mechanization services, and other farm management practices to maximize maize yield in the country.

show abstract

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Aderinoye-Abdulwahab

¹

,

Abdulbaki

²

2020

African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation

1

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Agriculture is the art and science of food production which spans soil cultivation, crop growing, and livestock rearing. Over the years, it has served as a means of employment and accounts for more than one-third of total gross domestic product. Cereals, which include rice, maize, and sorghum, are the major dietary energy suppliers and they provide significant amounts of protein, minerals (potassium and calcium), and vitamins (vitamin A and C). The growth and good yield of cereal crop can be greatly influenced by elements of weather and climate such as temperature, sunlight, and relative humidity. While climate determines the choice of what plant to cultivate and how to cultivate, it has been undoubtedly identified as one of the fundamental factors that determine both crop cultivation and livestock keeping. The chapter, though theoretical, adopted Kwara State, Nigeria, as the focus due to favorable weather conditions that support grains production. It was observed that the effect of climate change on cereal production includes: drastic reduction in grains production, reduction in farmers’ profit level, increment in cost during production, diversification to nonfarming activities, and discouragement of youth from participating in agricultural activities. Also, the adopted coping strategies employed by farmers in the focus site were early planting, planting of improved variety, irrigation activities, alternates crop rotation, and cultivation of more agricultural areas. The chapter thus concluded that climate change has negative impact on cereals production and recommends that government should provide communal irrigation facilities that will cushion the effect of low rains on farmers’ productivity, while early planting and cultivation of drought-resistant cultivars should be encouraged.

show abstract

Climate Variability Effect on Food Crop Yield among the Smallholder Farmers in Lower Offin River Basin, Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Climate variability and impacts on maize (Zea mays) yield in Ghana, West Africa

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About