EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ADAPTATION STRATEGIES ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN THE MION DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Climate variability is posing a serious challenge to crop production in Ghana through erratic rainfall patterns, increase in temperature and decreasing crop yields which can cause food insecurity and hunger, not only in Ghana but across SSA. Maize is one of the major staple crops and consumed by almost all ethnic groups in Ghana. Recent reports partly attribute low maize yields to climate variability. Based on this unfavourable experience, maize farmers have been introduced to a number of adaptation strategies or mechanisms to increase their resilience in the sector. The study analyzed the effects of climate variability adaptation strategies employed in maize production in Mion District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The study used descriptive statistics to determine the adaptation strategies employed by maize farmers in the district. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 140 household respondents for questionnaire administration. The data from questionnaire were inputted into SPSS and analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and means. The study applied Ordered Logistics Regression (OLM) model to determine the factors effecting the choice of climate adaptation strategies. The data from interviews and FGDs were analysed based on theories and relationships. The findings revealed that the smallholder farmers in the district widely practice changing planting dates, improved maize varieties, inorganic fertilizer, making ridges and diversify into nonfarm activities as adaptation strategies. The OLM analyses revealed that the factors explaining farmers’ choice of climate variability adaptation strategies include age, gender, income level, level of education of household head, membership of FBO and household size of farmers. Challenges to the strategies include inadequate access to credit, inadequate extension officers/services, high input prices, pest and diseases and inadequate information on climate characteristics. The study recommends that policies focus on adaptive capacity of maize farmers through input subsidy, access to credit, sensitization on climate change as well as provision of irrigation facility in farming communities.