Gendered Analysis of Agro-Based Climate Adaptation in the Santchou Landscape of Cameroon

Agriculture remains the backbone and major source of livelihood for men and women in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the gender-differentiated roles in agricultural transformation as a coping strategy to climate change in this context still beg for empirical substantiation. Using the Santchou Landscape of Cameroon as a case, this study sought to (a) examine the effects of climate change on agricultural practices, (b) characterize gender-differentiation in agro-based climate adaptation interventions, and (c) explore the gender-based challenges to agro-based climate adaptation planning. A representative sample of 159 households was conducted in five communities in the study area, complemented by key informant interviews (N = 5). The data collected were analyzed descriptively. The findings of this study revealed the following conclusions: Firstly, climate change significantly affects agricultural practices in the Santchou Landscape as mirrored in faming season fluctuation as well as the alteration of the farming calendar. Secondly, men and women play differentiated roles in agro-based climate adaptation, especially through farming practices such as the introduction of drought-resistant crops, the the practice of intercropping and agroforestry. Thirdly, gender-based challenges to agro-based climate adaptation include unequal access to land between men and women and unequal access to farm inputs, agricultural training, and technology. This study provides empirical evidence to substantiate the theoretical position on gender-differentiated roles in agro-based climate adaptation. Further studies are required to establish the incidence of gender variations in agro-based climate adaptation on livelihoods.