Adaptation strategies of Ghanaian cocoa farmers under a changing climate

Abstract

Much literature has been devoted to understanding farmers' adaptation decisions in annual cropping systems, but comparatively little is known on adaptation in perennial systems. This paper presents empirical findings on Ghanaian cocoa farmers' experiences of climate change, the coping strategies they have used and the factors that influenced their adaptation decisions. Primary data were collected through a structured survey of 313 households in 20 communities in Dormaa West and Bia East districts of Ghana. The econometric analysis of the data shows that more than 90% of cocoa farmers have been exposed to negative impacts of climate change. This resulted in severe and very severe effects on their cocoa production and livelihood. Yet a fourth of the respondents have not implemented any adaptation strategy. We argue that this is due to the economic superiority of cocoa as a perennial crop vis-à-vis other agricultural (annual) crops. We conclude that there is need for the development of adaptation technologies for current cocoa farmers but also need for more transformational adaptation policies that generate jobs and income generating activities outside cocoa cultivation.