Climate Change Effects, Multi-Actor Interactions, and Effectiveness of Adaptation Activities on Rice Production in Ghana’s Northern Region

Abstract

The study evaluated the level of interactions and efficacy of climate change adaptation efforts among farmers, agricultural extension  agents (AEAs), and researchers in the northern region of Ghana. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design technique. Three  hundred and twentyone smallholder farmers were used for the study. Factor analysis, analysis of variance, frequencies, means, and  standard deviations were tools used for quantitative analysis. The results revealed about 68 % variations in the effect of climate change  on rice production. The findings also showed that researchers ( ̅ = 3.52a) interacted significantly more with AEAs ( ̅ = 3.16b) than farmers ( ̅  = 2.81c). Farmers stated that the technique and outcome demonstrations were effective in adopting adaption technology, with a mean  score of 4.53. Farmers’ limited engagement with Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and researchers hinders the development,  modification, and dissemination of adaptation technologies for rice production. The study’s outcome is crucial for understanding the  impact of climate change on rice production. Additionally, it reveals how various actors in rice production interact to address climate  change through various adaptive measures. Also, the theoretical implication is embedded in higher levels of interaction by researchers  and AEAs, compared to farmers, suggesting potential communication and technology transfer gaps that hinder the successful adoption  of adaptation technologies among farmers. The originality of this study lies in the interaction among rice production actors in addressing  the climate change effect, which is absent in current climate change literature.