Smallholder Farmers’ Vulnerability to Floods in the Tolon District, Ghana

Abstract

Flooding is by far the most destructive type of weather conditions that strikes humans and their livelihoods around the world. Smallholder farmers in rural communities are predominantly dependent on rain-fed agriculture which exposes them to the vagaries of floods. Flood extremes have become more unpredictable and smallholder farmers are more vulnerable to them as a result of their limited adaptive capacity. Local level assessment of flood vulnerability is thus necessary in order to formulate policy measures towards strengthening their adaptive capacity. This study investigated the spatial pattern and factors that trigger floods in the study communities in the Tolon District. It also assessed the degree of smallholder farmers‟ vulnerability to floods in the district. The assessment was conducted in four rural farming communities in the district. The study finds that location of farms is the principal determinant of flood vulnerability and as such households in communities such as Tampia and Kpalisogu- Kura which are closer to the valley of the White Volta River are highly vulnerable to floods as compared to Yoggu and Kpalgun which are inland. Flood occurrence in the study areas are the direct result of continuous heavy rainfall episodes over many days; this triggers floods around the floodplains in communities near the river and in low-lying areas of inland communities. Again, there are little efforts at planning and developing measures that will help reduce farmers‟ losses from floods in study communities, this is attributed to limited knowledge, financial and material resources to adapt. Policy measures and development efforts should focus on improving adaptive capacities of smallholder farmers including providing livelihood options like food processing and craft work, and access to financial and technical assistance. KEYWORDS: Floods, smallholder farmers, vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity