Climate risks and adaptation strategies: the perspectives of farmers in coastal Ghana

The significance of farmers’ perceptions of climate risks, particularly in developing countries with limited capacity for adaptation, is equally important as the actual impacts, considering the increased risks posed by global climate change. This study examined smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate risks and adaptation strategies in coastal Ghana using a mixed-methods approach. A multi-stage sample technique was used to survey 800 farmers, and 8 farmers were selected as key informants through interviews in the coastal Savannah agroecological zone. Existing climatological records were analysed using the Kriging interpolation technique, and farmers’ adaptive capacity was predicted using binary logistic regression. The results revealed a substantial increase in farmers’ climate change knowledge. The majority of the farmers perceived increased temperatures (100%) and decreased total annual rainfall (64%), along with an increase in wind speed (100%) across the zone. The farmers revealed that extreme temperatures, drought, and decreasing rainfall result in the ripening of unmatured crops, the drying of crops, a decrease in crop yield, and farm losses. The farmers recognised poverty (75%) and food insecurity (23%) as the main effects of climate risks. The farmers have employed various adaptation strategies, including cultivating different types of crops (46%) and planting improved seed varieties (18%). However, financial constraints (48%) and high costs for farm inputs or fertilisers (32%) hinder these strategies. Farmers’ age, gender, education, and years of farming significantly predicted their decisions to adopt various adaptation strategies. Policy initiatives on subsidised farm inputs are required to safeguard the farmers’ activities and enhance their livelihoods.