Abstract:
This paper discusses the gender dimensions of climate change adaptation
strategies among small holder crop farmers in the transition zone of Ghana.
A total of 612 farmers (328 females and 284 males) were interviewed
using purposive sampling technique. Our results indicate that adaptation
strategies are gendered with men mostly resorting to on-farm agronomic
practices such as the use of artificial fertilizers and also moving into new
cash crops. Female farmers also use similar on-farm agronomic practices
particularly artificial fertilizers to boost crop production but most importantly
resorted to petty trading in agricultural and consumable goods, an offfarm strategy. This shows women’s resilience which has also subsequently
improved their decision-making role at the household level, which is an
indicator of empowerment. We recommend that institutions that support
climate change adaptation initiatives at the local level must take gender
differences into consideration and support particularly women to strengthen
their resilience and consolidate their empowerment.
