Gender Dimensions on the Effects of Seasonal Variations in Temperature and Rainfall on Cassava Production: A Study of Smallholder Farmers in Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

This paper assesses the extent to which male and female cassava farmers suffer the adverse effects caused by seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall. Using a combination of cluster, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques, structured questionnaires were administered to 252 smallholder cassava farmers in the Awutu Senya District of the Central Region, Ghana. The study showed that 99% of men compared with 95% women cassava farmers experienced decreasing yields from year to year, because of seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall. Again, 86% of men and 72% of women farmers often delayed the harvesting time of cassava either because of extended drought period, or because of the delay in the onset of the rainy season. While 72% of women farmers reported that they experienced crop losses due to drought or too much rain, similar effects were experienced by 69% of men farmers. Besides, it emerged that the majority of women farmers were heavily affected by the consequences of climate variations on cassava production as compared with their men counterparts. This paper makes strong case for activities that will build the knowledge and skills-base of the farmers so that they can deal with the effects of seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall on cassava production.

Keywords: gender dimension, seasonal variation, cassava, production, smallholder farmers