FLOOD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN SABOBA DISTRICT

Abstract

Natural disasters like floods have risen in frequency and severity, wreaking havoc on communities and economies around the world. Nearly every year, Ghana is hit by devastating floods. Both rural and urban areas of Ghana have seen an increase in flooding frequency since 1995, however the majority of studies on the topic have focused on the later. Finding out where smallholder farmers in Saboba district are most at danger of flooding and how they deal with such situations was the primary motivation for this research. The study created a flood vulnerability map by using Geospatial techniques. Qualitative methods such as Focus Groups Discussion, key informant interviews, and quantitative methods such as questionnaire administration were used to collect primary data. The research area's flood vulnerabilities were found to be very low (6.2% or 108 km2), low (18.6% or 323 km2), moderate (29.9% or 520 km2), high (31.4% or 546 km2), and very high (13.9% or 242 km2). The livelihoods of smallholder farmers were affected positively and negatively by socio-demographic factors like sex, age, household size, marital status, literacy level. These factors impacted access to resources, decision-making, productivity, and resilience. Methods that farmers have used to lessen the impact of flooding included using raised beds, a variety of crops, better drainage systems, animal relocation, crop insurance, conservation farming, and raising crops that are more resistant to flooding. It turned out that institutional structures at the local level had both positive and negative effects on the implementation of adaptation measures. The effects included the institutions as source of unity and also favouritism of some institutional actors. To lessen the impact of floods, the study suggested using land use planning strategies such as incorporating Early Warning Systems and regular Risk Mapping.