Climate Variability Since 1970 and Farmers’ Observations in Northern Ghana

Abstract

The study examines how farmers' observations of climate variability and change correspond with 42 years meteorological data of temperature and rainfall. It shows how farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana adjust to the changing climate and explore the various obstacles that hinder the implementation of their adaptation strategies. With the help of an extension officer, 200 farmers from 20 communities were randomly selected based on their farming records. Temperatures over the last four decades ) increased at a rate of 0.04 (± 0.41) ˚C and 0.3(± 0.13)˚C from 2010-2011 which is consistent to the farmers (82.5%) observations. Rainfall within the districts are characterised by inter-annual and monthly variability. It experienced an increased rate of 0.66 (± 8.30) mm from 1970-2009, which was inconsistent with the farmers (81.5%) observation. It however decreased from 2010-2011 at a huge rate of -22.49 (±15.90) mm which probably was the reason majority of the respondents claim rainfall was decreasing. Only 64.5% of the respondents had adjusted their farming activities because of climate variability and change. They apply fertilizers and pesticides, practice soil and water conservation, and irrigation for communities close to dams. Respondents desire to continue their current adaptation methods but may in the future consider changing crop variety, water-harvesting techniques, change crop production to livestock keeping, and possibly migrate to urban centers. Lack of climate change education, low access to credit and agricultural inputs are some militating factors crippling the farmers' effort to adapt to climate change.

Smallholder farmers experiences of climate variability and change on pineapple production in Ghana: Examining adaptation strategies for improved production

“…Climate variability and change may have both positive and negative effects on farming in Ghana, though there are indications of more negative impact in the long run and may in effect challenge farmer"s production efforts and affect sustainable production (Nyadzi, 2016).…”

“…Regarding fruit quality, noticeable temperature effects that emerged in different farms included sunburn and black spot with resultant In addition, farmers mentioned that, prolonged drought with unpredictable rainfall patterns mostly promote and introduce crop diseases such as heart rot and pests, which reduce crop yield and productivity. In the absence of effective adaptation measures, crop production can be severely constrained by climate variability and change (Smit and Skinner, 2002;Nyadzi, 2016). Exploring how pineapple farmers modify their farming practices in response to the changing climate is therefore very important to the development of effective policies and practices to enhance pineapple productivity in Ghana.…”

Ecosystem Tipping Points Due to Variable Water Availability and Cascading Effects on Food Security in Sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Farmers predict the start and end of the rainy season from trends of previous seasons but sometimes end up replanting when there are longer rainfall delays. For instance in Ghana, farmers experienced delayed onset and early cessation of rainfall, resulting in shorter crop cycles (Nyadzi, 2016). The Northern part of Ghana experienced highly variable rain over the last 20 th century with a delay in onset of the rainy season shifting from April to May and sometimes to June disrupting agricultural calendar and forcing farmers to replant hence increased production costs (Adaawen, 2016a).…”

Local level impacts of climatic and non‐climatic factors on agriculture and agricultural land‐use dynamic in rural northern Ghana

“…According to Braimoh (), the onset of rainfall is always unpredictable, with the first rains usually torrential, and only a small quantity percolating into the soils. A shorter and more unpredictable rainy season, in terms of both amount and timing, have been reported by residents of UER (Dietz et al, ; Badmos et al, ; Limantol et al, ; Nyadzi, ; Nyuor et al ., ; Dickinson et al ., ).…”