CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER IN CROP FARMING IN THE KINTAMPO NORTH MUNICIPALITY: AN ANALYSIS OF PERCEIVED CAUSES, IMPACTS AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the Ghanaian economy since crop farming is largely dependent on rain-fed cultivation. This study examined the perceptions of male and female crop farmers on the indicators, Causes, impacts and adaptations strategies to the changing climate. A total of 120 crop farmers were selected using multistage sampling procedure and data collected using semi-structured questionnaire. The observations of the majority of both male and female Farmers on temperature were contrary to the weather data by GMA whiles that of rainfall confirms the rainfall data recorded in the study area. The majority of both male and female fanners have noticed an increase in wind speed (men: 95%. women: 86%) and duration of drought (men; 88%, women; 85%), and decreased intensity of flooding (men: 90%, women: 75%) in the study area. There was no significant difference at the 5% level (p>0.05) in the impact of temperature, rainfall and wind speed on the crop of both male and female farmers, however there was significant difference at the 5% level (p<0.05) in the impact of drought and flooding on the crops of both male and female farmers with more males (62%) affected by the effects of the drought whiles more females (39%) are affected by the effect of flooding. There was significant difference in the adaptation strategies employed by both male and female farmers in the coping with rainfall and drought with male farmers having better adaptation options than female farmers; however, there was no significant difference in the adaptation strategies by both sexes in terms of temperature, wind speed and flooding. Therefore climate change adaptation strategies for improving agriculture and food security should consider gender differences in our cultural systems like the dynamics in the ownership and acquisition of land and choice of crops to plant by female and male farmers. This is recommended because climate change does not impact both male and female farmers equally.