Vulnerability and Adaptation of Smallholder Farmers to Changes in Agroecosystem Services and Climate in Semi-Arid Regions The Case of Nandom District of Ghana

Abstract

Significant proportion of people in semi-arid regions depend on climate variables and agroecosystem services to sustain their livelihoods. These livelihoods are threatened by the deterioration of agroecosystem services and climate variability. Recently, many communities exhibit low levels of adaptive capacity due to maladaptation and the lack of understanding of the patterns of vulnerabilities. This study examined the scope and nature of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of smallholder households to recent changes in agroecosystem services and climate in semi-arid Upper West Region of Ghana, specifically in the Nandom District. To achieve this goal, the study employed a participatory rural research design to collect and analyze the perceptions of smallholder farmers on vulnerability and adaptation options to the changes in agroecosystems and climate in the study area. Mixed methods involving qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to collect and analyze these data. The field work was undertaken between January 2016 and March, 2017 in four communities, namely, Billengangn, Gengenkpe, Naapaal and Ketuo using a questionnaire made up of semi-structured interviews with 194 households, focus group discussions with 125 farmers and key informant interviews with 10 relevant stakeholders drawn from government and non-government institutions. Soil and water samples were collected from selected farms, the Black Volta River, and selected boreholes and analyzed to assess the contribution of soil and water quality to livelihood strategies. Rainfall and temperature data spanning January 1984 to December 2014 were collected from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) to investigate the trends and variability. The livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) was employed to investigate the level of vulnerability of households in the study communities. A regression analysis was performed to investigate the determinants of adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers. The results of soil tests indicated that the soil was generally suitable for growth of crops in the study area. The levels of soil parameters ranged from marginal to adequate for crop production. The microbial analysis of the river water samples indicated high counts of total coliform and faecal coliforms. However, the results of the analysis of physico-chemical and trace metal parameters of river water samples with the exception of turbidity were within the TWQRs guidelines relating to domestic water use. The results revealed that rainfall over the period showed much variability and did not show any visible trend with an average annual total rainfall of 981.2 mm. The analysis depicted that both annual mean minimum and maximum temperatures were increasing and the area was becoming warmer during the day and the night. The annual mean maximum and minimum temperatures were 34.7 ℃ and 22.1 ℃. Findings further showed that thirteen (13) key agroecosystem services underpinned the agricultural livelihoods of smallholder farmers in semi-arid Ghana. These included bushmeat, freshwater, fruits, soil fertility, fuelwood, fish, mushroom, non-timber forest products (NTFP), cropland, vegetation, leaves, honey, and animal products. These were perceived to have changed over the past 5 years, driven mainly by low rainfall, bush burning, and tree cutting. Access to climate information, acceptance of the current climate and agroecosystem services change and availability of agroecosystem services were significant determinants of adaptation strategies in the study area. The study has identified a number of issues which can help to improve the adaptability of smallholder farmers to changes in agroecosystem services and. climate in this semi-arid region. driven mainly by low rainfall, bush burning, and tree cutting. Access to climate information, acceptance of the current climate and agroecosystem services change and availability of agroecosystem services were significant determinants of adaptation strategies in the study area. The study has identified a number of issues which can help to improve the adaptability of smallholder farmers to changes in agroecosystem services and. climate in this semi-arid region.