Abstract:
The changing climate pattern in the Northern Regions of Ghana has influenced the movement of people, especially the youth, out of the Lawra District in the Upper West Region. Smallholder farmers that still live in the District tend to rely on remittances sent by their migrant relatives to support their livelihoods, however, little is known about how these remittances influence their adaptation processes. This study assesses smallholder farmers‘ perception on climate change and its impacts; examines the income generated from smallholders‘ farming activities, the expenditure patterns and how it contributes to adaptation strategies; and evaluates the various forms of support to smallholder farmers including remittances and how they contribute to their adaptation strategies. In addition, migrant‘s perceptions of the use of their remittances to their origin households was examine. This mainly descriptive study adopted the mixed methods approach, using data from household surveys and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs). The Conceptual Framework was adapted from the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and was used to assess the adaptive capacity of the farmers with respect to use of remittances. A sample size of 98 smallholder farm households in the Lawra District that receive remittances were specifically selected and interviewed. Five (5) migrants who reside outside the District and remit home were also interviewed for qualitative understanding of their motive and perception for remitting. This study found that 98 percent of smallholder farmers and all interviewed migrants have some knowledge of climate change. Annually, the majority of farmers (87.2%) earn less than GH¢300 (US$69) from farming activities and less than GH¢300 from remittances, both in the previous farming season. Only 21.4 percent of farmers received external support from government and NGOs for their farming activities. Overall, 85 percent of farmers spent remittances on consumables such as food and not on available adaptation options as those require substantial capital input. The migrants perceived remitting home as a responsibility but understand that it does not meet the needs of the household. It is recommended that a formal system is put in place that will improve the medium of remitting home.
