Assessing Maize Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability in Ghana

Mustapha A. Sadiq, John Kuwornu (), Ramatu M. Al-Hassan and Suhiyini I. Alhassan
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Mustapha A. Sadiq: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, College of Basic and Applied Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 68 Legon, Ghana
Ramatu M. Al-Hassan: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, College of Basic and Applied Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 68 Legon, Ghana
Suhiyini I. Alhassan: Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box 1350 Tamale, Ghana

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: This study examined the adaptation strategies of maize farmers to climate change and variability in the Eastern Region of Ghana using primary data collected from 150 maize farming households by the administration of structured questionnaires. The results of the multinomial logit regression revealed that rainfall perception, access to credit, and farming experience significantly influenced the adoption of recommended agricultural practices, whereas the adoption of soil-related strategies is influenced by gender and rainfall perception. Farming experience and rainfall perception influenced the adoption of improved varieties strategies. This study highlights the need for the development of water resources for maize production in the context of the changing climate. In this respect, the crucial roles of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, the agricultural extension division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and other international organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Bank regarding the development of irrigation facilities and the associated capacity building of the farmers are very important. Finally, the formation of Water User Associations for the smallholder farmers regarding the usage and maintenance of the irrigation facilities would be a step in the right direction.

Keywords: climate change; adaptation strategies; Ghana; smallholder farmers; water resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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