Local creativity for adapting to climate change among rural farmers in the semi-arid region of Ghana

Abstract

Purpose – Climate change has emerged as an important theme in the current food security discourses, and although research on local people's adaptation to climate change is increasing, more research is needed to enable sharing of different coping strategies. This research can help policymakers in documenting effective coping strategies that helped to reduce negative impacts of climate change on farmers. The research therefore determined how farmers in rural Ghana use traditional knowledge to adapt to climate changes, and how well the local knowledge worked to enhance livelihoods. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The study took place in three communities in Ghana. Sixty participants consisting 20 from each of the communities were recruited for the study. Data were collected through focus group discussions and semi-structured interview questions. SPSS software was used to analyse the data. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to rank the strategies in enhancing livelihoods. Findings – Men's and women's understanding of what constitute climate change are similar – change in the rainfall amount and distribution. The coping strategies are working as hired labourers, engaging in irrigated farming, practicing of professions learned, rearing of animals, and petty trading. While the importance of the strategies to men's and women's is different, the strategies they adopted appeared to meet their household requirements. Originality/value – The study reveals that local creativities can help in meeting rural farmers' needs during the periods of climate change. Consequently, this research has value for development organisations supporting farmers to effectively use their indigenous knowledge during the periods of climate change.

Mapping evidence of human adaptation to climate change

“…71,72 At the farm scale, behavioural responses include adoption of crops and livestock that are adapted to drought, pests, and encroaching salinity. [73][74][75][76][77] Individuals shift to other economic and livelihood activities, abandoning fishing for farming, 78 or change food consumption practices to cope with environmental risks. In Africa and Asia, farmers commonly use drought-tolerant plant and animal species, water and soil management practices, and diversified income streams to spread risks and adjust to shifting climate conditions.…”

“…In Africa and Asia, farmers commonly use drought-tolerant plant and animal species, water and soil management practices, and diversified income streams to spread risks and adjust to shifting climate conditions. 76,[79][80][81][82][83][84] Technical and infrastructural responses are also common, most notably in Europe and in cities, particularly in the water sector. 85,86 Institutional responses such as instituting policies, programs, regulations, and procedures, and forming formal and informal organizations (e.g.…”

Farmers Choice of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability in Arid Region of Ghana

“…While the former is generally long-term strategy, the latter are short-term and localized measures to offset the impacts of CCV. As simply put, societies must adapt to ensure survival of lives (Arku, 2013). Adaptations, which is the focus of this study is defined as the interventions carried out to improve society's capacity to adjust to CCV, reduce the negative effect or take advantage of the opportunities offered by a changing climate.…”

Perception and responses of traders to climate change in downtown, Accra, Ghana

“…What people understand by climate change can differ depending on whether and how the change affects their livelihoods. It is largely documented that farmers who depend on rainfall to cultivate crops understand climate change as a change in climatic elements, especially rainfall which negatively affects crop production (Arku, 2013;Arku and Arku, 2010;Rigg, 2006;Nzeadibe et al, 2012). The effects of climate change on people who are not directly involved with farming such as traders are sparse in the literature.…”

“…The literature on the impact of climate change on farmers is discussed elsewhere (Arku, 2013;Naveen et al, 2007;Tiwari and Bauer, 2015) and therefore is not the focus of this article. The impact is direct on farmers, especially those who cultivate crops that are rainfed.…”