CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE AND ADAPTATION IN THE WHITE VOLTA BASIN OF THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

In this paper we use the TOA-MD model to test climate change impacts and adaptation strategies with socioeconomic, survey data from the upper White Volta Basin of Ghana. Combining simulated and ex-pected crop and livestock yields under three different climate scenarios, the economic impact of climate change to 2050 is analysed. We find that livelihood outcome variables like income and poverty levels as well as adoption rates are sensitive to the different climate scenarios. Most particularly, introducing an I&E technology as climate change adaptation strategy offsets some negative impacts and improves in-come but not poverty rates in the area. The results are useful in providing spatiotemporarily-specific policy recommendations on the potential impacts of climate change and the economic outcomes asso-ciated with different adaptation strategies.