Perceptions of Farmers on Changing Rainfall Patterns in The Zosali Community

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2018-06

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University of Ghana

Abstract

There is concern about the increase in temperature and reduction in rainfall in Ghana in recent times. Climate change together with the activities of humans could aggravate desertification in northern Ghana. This study examined the beliefs and experiences of farmers in the Zosali community in the Northern Region with regards to rainfall and how these things relate to the rainfall experience in the community. The studyemployed a survey design withmixed methods comprising a focused group discussion andadministration of questionnaires. The discussants were 10 leaders of various farmer groups whiles the questionnaires were completed by 140 farmers selected through convenience samplingin the Zosali community. The findings showed that five important factors, namely, traditional belief/superstition about rainfall, factual misconception of rainfall, bad land-use (bush burning, felling of trees, removal of vegetation cover, and charcoal burning), bad rainfall-experience (short rainfall episodes, flooding, and reduced soil water), and water scarcity are noteworthy the farmer‟s understanding of rainfall.Significantly, bad land-use was found to predict bad rainfall-experience. Traditional belief/superstition did not predict bad rainfall-experience. However, whereas this direct prediction was absent, there was an indirect predictive power of traditional belief/superstition on bad rainfall-experience because it significantly predicted bad land-use which in turn determined bad rainfall-experience. The study recommends that keen attention should be paid to land use by state agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. Farmers in the hinterlands should be educated on climate change and causes of rainfall. Afforestation and sustenance of vegetation cover are aspects of improving rainfall experience. Also, proper disposal of waste is mentioned as a way to improve environmental conditions. Further studies should be done on the relationship between land and Green House Gases and their impact on climate change.

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Zosali Community, Rainfall Patterns, Perceptions of Farmers

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