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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

  • John K. M. Kuwornu

    (Department of Food, Agriculture and Bioresources; School of Environment, Resource and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mustapha A. Sadiq & John K. M. Kuwornu & Ramatu M. Al-Hassan & Suhiyini I. Alhassan, 2019. "Assessing Maize Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability in Ghana," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:5:p:90-:d:226963
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Abraham Zakaria & Suhiyini I. Alhassan & John K. M. Kuwornu & Shaibu B. Azumah, 2021. "Beyond Participation: The Effect of Fertilizer Subsidy on the Adoption of Certified Seeds Among Rice Farmers in Northern Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(3), pages 684-709, June.
    3. Opeyemi Obafemi Adelesi & Yean-Uk Kim & Heidi Webber & Peter Zander & Johannes Schuler & Seyed-Ali Hosseini-Yekani & Dilys Sefakor MacCarthy & Alhassan Lansah Abdulai & Karin van der Wiel & Pierre C. , 2023. "Accounting for Weather Variability in Farm Management Resource Allocation in Northern Ghana: An Integrated Modeling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Pomi Shahbaz & Azhar Abbas & Babar Aziz & Bader Alhafi Alotaibi & Abou Traore, 2022. "Nexus between Climate-Smart Livestock Production Practices and Farmers’ Nutritional Security in Pakistan: Exploring Level, Linkages, and Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Tien D. N. Ho & Takuji W. Tsusaka & John K. M. Kuwornu & Avishek Datta & Loc T. Nguyen, 2022. "Do rice varieties matter? Climate change adaptation and livelihood diversification among rural smallholder households in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 1-33, January.
    6. Abraham Zakaria & Suhiyini I. Alhassan & John K. M. Kuwornu & Shaibu B. Azumah, 0. "Beyond Participation: The Effect of Fertilizer Subsidy on the Adoption of Certified Seeds Among Rice Farmers in Northern Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 0, pages 1-26.
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    8. Martey, Edward & Kuwornu, John K.M., 2021. "Perceptions of Climate Variability and Soil Fertility Management Choices Among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).

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