scholarly journals Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Practices for Maize Production in Eastern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Teshome ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Nigussie Dechassa ◽  
Tamado Tana ◽  
Matthew Huber
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Adaptation Practices

Climate change and variability is affecting maize (Zea mays L.) production in eastern Ethiopia but how farmers perceive the challenge and respond to it is not well documented. A study was conducted to analyze smallholder maize farmers’ perception of climate change/variability and identify their adaptation approaches and barriers for adaptation in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Meteorological data were assessed to provide evidence of the perceived change. A survey was conducted in six major maize-producing kebeles with a total of 364 respondents. A multi-stage sampling method was employed for selecting the sample units for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The results indicated that 78% of the sampled smallholder maize farmers perceived increasing temperatures while 83% perceived decreasing amounts of rainfall. About 75% of the farmers indicated that they became aware of climate change and variability from their own experience and perceived deforestation as the main cause. The farmers perceived that drought, diseases and pests, dwindling soil fertility, and declining crop yields were the major impacts of climate change that affected maize production. The farmers’ major adaptation practices include adjusting planting dates, using improved maize varieties, intercropping, recommended mineral fertilizers, supplementary irrigation, and soil and water conservation measures. Econometric analysis revealed that low educational level, shortage of land, large family sizes, age, lack of access to irrigation water, lack of access to credit, and lack of access to extension services were the most important barriers to climate change adaptation in the area. It is concluded that farmers cultivating maize in the study area have perceived climate change and use certain adaptation strategies to counter its negative impacts on maize production. This implies that policies should be geared towards strengthening farmers’ efforts to adapt to climate change and alleviate the existing barriers in promoting adaptation strategies for enhancing the productivity of maize.

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

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustapha A. Sadiq ◽  
John K. M. Kuwornu ◽  
Ramatu M. Al-Hassan ◽  
Suhiyini I. Alhassan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Food And Agriculture

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.

Climate change perception and choice of adaptation strategies

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wondimagegn Tesfaye ◽  
Lemma Seifu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its adverse effects, identify major adaptation strategies used by farmers and analyze the factors that influence the choice of adaptation strategy by smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach – The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of 296 sample households selected from three districts in east Ethiopia. Data were collected with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and review of literature, documents and databases. Findings – The study provides empirical evidence that majority of farmers in the study area are aware of climate change patterns and their adverse effect on income, food security, diversity, forest resources, food prices and crop and livestock diseases. In response to these adverse effects, major adaptation strategies used by farmers include cultivating different crops, planting different crop varieties, changing planting dates, use of soil and water conservation techniques, conservation agriculture practices and engaging in non-farm income activities. Choice of adaptation strategies are influenced by gender of household head, household size, farm size, distance from market and number of farm plots. Practical implications – The study suggests that developing more effective climate change adaptation strategies need support from the government. Such an effort needs provision of the necessary resources such as credit, information and extension services on climate change adaptation strategies and technologies, and investing in climate smart and resilient projects. Originality/value – The study adopts multivariate probit model that models farmers’ simultaneous adaptation choice behavior which has been rarely addressed by previous researches.

Smallholder Farmers’ Susceptibility to Climate Change Variability: Assessing Adaptation Strategies and Impact on livelihoods

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Tahiru
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Adaptation Processes ◽  
Adaptation Options

Climate change and variability present a new set of obstacles that smallholder farmers in the 21st century have to face, especially hitting farmers in developing countries hard. The livelihoods of many farmers have become exacerbated due to the adverse impact of climate change. Governments and non-governmental agencies have stepped up their roles in helping smallholder farmers rise to the challenge through novel adaptation strategies. Using content analysis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature sources, this paper discusses the concept of climate change adaptation and its impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. The susceptibility of smallholder farmers to climate change are discussed and various adaptation options and more importantly, their effect, are explored. The study concludes that interventions by government and non-governmental actors have an impact on the overall livelihood of smallholder farmers in terms of neutralizing the adverse impact brought forth by climate change. The study makes some recommendations, including advancing a combination of traditional and modern practices in adaptation processes; consideration of socio-demographic characteristics of farmers in the adaptation processes.

scholarly journals Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change and Variability: Evidence from Northern Ghana

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. M. ◽  
Prince Maxwell Etwire . ◽  
Yaw Osei-Owusu .
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Climate Change And Variability

Farmers have been modifying their practices in order to deal with climate change and variability. Even though such practices have been documented in other parts of Africa, information on Ghana and particularly northern Ghana is scanty. This study examines the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability in northern Ghana. The paper is based on primary data collected through a household survey, community focus group discussions and key informant interviews in order to identify the adaptation responses of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to climate change and variability. Several indigenous climate-related practices and technologies categorised into four strategies were identified. In addition, climate related technologies introduced by research, also categorised into four strategies, and were identified as being used by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana. The empirical results of the Friedman test indicates that timing of the onset of the rainy season which informed planting, and soil and plant health related strategies are the most important climate related strategies used by smallholder farmers in securing yield. The policy implication is that practical, timely and reliable information on the onset of the rainy season as well as region specific soil and plant health technologies should be generated and made available to smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change.

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