Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Adaklu District, Ghana

Abstract

Climate variability is one of the great challenges facing smallholder farmers in Ghana and more specifically rice farmers. The main objective of this study was to assess the perceptions and adaptation strategies of rice farmers to climate change in Adaklu district. Specifically, the study sought to, i) determines rice farmers’ perceptions of climate change; ii) estimate the adaptive capacities of rice farmers to climate change; iii) identify the adaptation strategies used by rice farmers and iv) identify the determinants of number of adaptation strategies used by a rice farmer in the district. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions whereas secondary data on climate variables was collected from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. Twenty-five respondents each were sampled from five communities, making 125 respondents. Descriptive statistics, semi-logarithm regression and Poisson regression methods were used in analysing the objectives. The adaptive capacities of farmers were also estimated and categorized into high, moderate and low adaptive capacities. The results indicate that, (84%) of the farmers perceive decreased in rainfall, 13% perceived unpredictability of rainfall, (2%) sees no change in rainfall and (0.8%) say rainfall has been increasing over the years. With respect to temperature, majority of respondents (98%) perceived increased in temperature, whiles (0.8%) perceived unpredictability and no change in temperature. The perception of farmers was consistent with the estimated rising trend and decreasing trend in temperature and rainfall. On the average, rice farmers in Adaklu district were found to be moderately adaptive to climate change. Rice farmers were found to be adopting eleven strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their farm. The dominant strategy was changing planting date (97.6%), planting early maturing varieties (73.6%), and using chemical or organic fertilizer (68.8%). The results of the Poisson regression show gender, education, access to credit, farm income, farming experience and awareness of climate change to be factors that statistically influence the adoption of number of adaptation strategies. Agricultural extension services should be improved to help in educating farmers on adaptation strategies that are more climate smart and sustainable. Informal and non-formal education through information centres and lessons for adult farmers should be encouraged. Farmers are aware of changes in climate and associated risk. Although they respond to the risks with a number of strategies, their capacity to adapt is only moderate. Access to early maturing rice varieties by farmers must be enhanced for rice farmers to fully adapt to climate variability in the study area.