Smallholder Farmers' Perception of Climate Change Resilience in the Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

Climate change and resource depletion disproportionately affect smallholder farmers and the disadvantaged. For example, drought, storms, and floods strain the ecosystems they rely on for sustenance. The research evaluated smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate change and resilience in the Bosome Freho district. Descriptive surveys, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews were used in data collection and analysis. Respondents included 160 smallholder farmers, four Agricultural Extension Officers, and four Chief Farmers from the localities. According to the survey, most smallholder farmers are conscious of the effects of climatic change, such as low agricultural output, extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and pest and species invasion. The study discovered that the farmers' primary sources of climate change data are media (Television, Radio etc.), neighbours (older farmers), and Agriculture Extension Officers. The paper found that farmers' adaptation and resilience to the effects of climate change were generally high. Crop diversification, changing planting dates, changing crops, irrigation, planting short-season varieties, finding off-farm jobs, and reducing farm size are all effective adaptive tactics for most farmers. It is recommended that the Ghana Meteorological Agency provide climate-related information to the District Directorate of Agriculture. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) should sensitise smallholder farmers on specific climate-smart agricultural practices.