Climate Change Adaptation among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Ghana

• 作者: Alieu Gibba Amma Birago Kantanka Gyimah M’koumfida Bagbohouna Nagale dit Mahamadou Sanogo
• 来源期刊: 大气和气候科学(英文)
• 学科: 经济
• 关键词: Climate Change Smallholder Farmers ADAPTATION STRATEGIES Systematic Review
• 年，卷（期）: 2020,（4）
• 页码范围: 614-638
• 页数: 25页
• 分类号: F32

摘要

Local discourses on climate change adaptation are very relevant to many developing countries which suffer the most of climate change impacts. Smallholder farmers are a backbone to the Ghanaian economy. However, the activities of smallholder farmers are threatened by climate-related risk increasing their vulnerability. This study aims to review knowledge on climate change adaptation for the ultimate goal of fostering climate-resilience among smallholder farmers. This paper uses purposive sampling to systematically review recent available literature on the theme “adaptation of smallholder farmers in Ghana”. In order to avoid the duplication of the information and track data sources for accuracy purpose, Mendeley version 1.19.4 software was used to incorporate articles while MS EXCEL Version 2019 was used to categorize the types and key examples of adaptation strategies used by smallholders. It was found that the most utilized adaptation types are farm management and technology (67%) and diversification on and beyond the farm (20.6%) with less adoption for knowledge management, networks and governance (5.4%);farm financial management (4%);government interventions in rural infrastructure, the rural health care services, and risk reduction for the rural population (3%). Although the strategies enlisted above help to adapt to climate change, challenges such as poor and unsustainable agricultural practices, socio-cultural constraints, institutional barriers and under-representation of other regions (except Northern Ghana) in the study of climate change adaptation of smallholder farmers in Ghana remain. The study therefore advocates for strengthening the link between research institutions and the extension officers and enhanced deployment of agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers in the rural areas among others.