CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS FOR CROP FARMING IN GHANA’S SEMI-ARID GUINEA SAVANNA

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of existing adaptation strategies against climate change impacts in the Semi-Arid Guinea Savanna of Ghana. The trend of rainfall (1985-2014) is declining. Rainfall pattern is erratic throwing farming calendar into disarray. Temperature trend for the same period is rising. This paper answers the question: how are existing adaptation measures to climate change influencing crop farming? The paper uses mixed method approach. Rainfall, temperature and crop production data are analysed quantitatively. Crop production data are correlated and regressed with rainfall and temperature data. Qualitative data are gathered through the use of questionnaire administered to 148 farmers, eight focus group discussions and five key informant interviews. The effects of variable rainfall and temperature (climate change) include reduced water availability for farming, increased difficulty in deciding when to begin planting of seeds, reduced number of local crop landraces, low crop production/output as well as dwindling farm sizes. Farmers identified loss of crop biodiversity, especially, crops used in producing spices. The prospects of extensive irrigation farming during the dry season and small gardening have reduced as the main adaptation strategies. Improving resilience of small-scale irrigation and hand dug well support for gardens is warranted.