Cost-Benefit Analysis of On-Farm Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Ghana

Abstract

Climate change continues to hamper crop-based systems across sub-Sahara Africa. Adaptation strategies prove to be effective at improving production and enhancing livelihoods of farm households. This study employs Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to assess the perceived economic profitability of adopting various on-farm climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Zabzugu and South Tongu districts in the north and south of Ghana. A simple random sampling approach was used to select 300 farmers who had previously benefited from climate change projects. Major strategies adopted in both districts were: changing of planting dates, planting early maturing varieties, row planting, seed refilling and planting drought tolerant varieties. Adoption intensity was high in Zabzugu district compared to the South Tongu District. Generally, the adoption of each strategy was perceived to be profitable since the estimated average benefits outweighed the average costs. However, the most profitable strategies were strip cropping, repeated sowing, refilling, zero tillage and row planting. Less profitable strategies included land rotation, mixed farming, early planting, tractor ploughing and “A-frame” contour farming. Among others, drought tolerant varieties of rice, maize and soybeans, as well as zero tillage, repeated sowing and strip cropping, should be promoted and farmers encouraged to adopt these practices for enhanced benefits.