Abstract
The study sought to examine various agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation and food security in eight countries in Western and Central Africa namely Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic. The countries were grouped into three clusters to facilitate comparative analysis of the data generated. Primary and secondary data were collected using questionnaire, participant observation and focus group discussions while secondary data were obtained through in-depth literature review. Descriptive statistics were mainly employed in data analysis. Results show that the most prominent adaptation measures in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia were; processing of crops to reduce post-harvest losses; increased weeding; mulching; increased manure application; movement to a different farm site; use of agrochemicals; and prayers for God’s intervention. In Ghana and the Gambia, most of the farmers did not do anything but relied on God’s intervention. However, others embarked on regular weeding, construction of drainage systems and trenches, and use of agrochemicals. They also referred difficult cases to extension agents. In Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic, farmers, resorted to late planting, blocking of drainage in rice fields to conserve water, multiple cropping; planting crops with different maturity periods, use of wood ash, and urban cropping. The study recommends more interaction of relevant stakeholders including farmers, extension agents, civil society actors, private sector actors and government in generating suitable agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation and food security in the regions. Above all, the study identified the need for capacity strengthening at all levels in the agricultural value chain to ensure food security even in the face of climate change.Key words: Climate change, innovation, adaptation, agriculture, food security, Africa
Highlights
Global climatic change adversely affects agriculture through long-term alteration in weather patterns, especially increases in temperature and storm activity which are consequences of the greenhouse gas effects
The research is based on desk research and field survey which was carried out in 2010 in eight African countries namely Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic
The research was conducted in three groups of countries namely; Group 1- Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia Group 2-Ghana and the Gambia Group3-Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central Africa Republic
Summary
Global climatic change adversely affects agriculture through long-term alteration in weather patterns, especially increases in temperature and storm activity which are consequences of the greenhouse gas effects. The changes in weather patterns bring uncertainties in the sustainability of agriculture in crop production. The poor countries those in sub Saharan Africa are vulnerable to the impacts of global climate change such as longer periods of drought and an increase in the number, duration and intensity of tropical storms. The impacts of climate change are more pronounced in sub Saharan Africa because agricultural productivity greatly depends on precipitation and natural conditions of the environment. This situation is precipitated by the fact that the changes in climate are taking place in an environment characterized by extreme poverty. Climate change impedes the fight against global poverty because poor people tend to live in the most vulnerable locations with limited means to adapt
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