Helping the Helpless: Contribution of Rural Extension Services to Smallholder Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptive Capacity and Adaptation in Rural Ghana
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Date
2019-11-15
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Publisher
International Journal of Rural Management
Abstract
While there is no doubt that extension services play an active role in promoting
smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity and adaptation to climate change, there is
a dearth of information and research on how this institution champions climate
change adaptation in rural farming communities in Ghana. This study employed a
qualitative case study design and interviewed 15 extension officers and 26 smallholder
farmers to understand how extension services enhance smallholder farmers’
climate change adaptive capacity and adaptation in the rural Adansi North
District in Ghana. The findings indicate that extension services adopt multiple
strategies to build the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change. Through
the transfer of skills and knowledge, technology and innovations, supply of inputs,
technical advice and liaison role with existing local institutions, farmers are able
to adapt to climate change. The study further revealed that extension services
are hindered by geographical, sociocultural and economic challenges which affect
their alignment and fitness to effectively assist smallholder farmers. The study
recommends strengthening the capacity of the extension institution. Moreover,more experts must be trained to provide special, targeted and important services
to smallholder farmers in respect of climate change sensitization and adaptation
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Extension services, climate change, smallholder farmers, adaptation, adaptive capacity, Adansi North district, Ghana