IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON SMALL-HOLDER FARMING IN THE DAFFIAMA-BUSSIE-ISSA DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

Climate variability is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges confronting agriculture in the 21st century, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. The increasing level of uncertainty characterizing recent rainfall patterns, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa puts small-holder farming in an extremely vulnerable state. This study employed qualitative methods to explore the implications of climate variability on small-holder farming in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District of Ghana. Specifically, the study employed FGDs, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviewing methods to gather opinions of small-farmers and administrators/staff of MOFA and EPA departments. Subsequently, thematic analysis and simple ranking techniques were adapted to analyze and present the research data. The study found that small-holder farmers in Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District are highly aware of climate variability, and are therefore putting in place diverse adaptation strategies to deal with the adverse effect of climate variability on their livelihoods. Again, the research established that farmers' adaptability is constrained by inadequate financial and extension services, inadequate irrigation and low access to climate information. Consequently, it was concluded that rainfall variability is the greatest challenge confronting small-holder farming in Daffiama-Bussie-Issa district. Considering the gravity of this challenge, the study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should liaise with the private sector to introduce affordable crop insurance schemes to farmers to mitigate the risk in farming. Also, in order to boast access to credit, the district assembly in partnership with private financial institutions should introduce farmers to the concept of village savings and loans associations (VSLA) to serve as a reliable source of capital accumulation for rural farmers.