Agro-ecological intensification for climate change adaptation: tales on soil and water management practices of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana

Abstract

In response to the increasing impacts of climatic stressors on human populations, climatic scholars have emphasized the need for alternative approaches to adapt food crop production to climate change and sustain the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Inspired by agro-ecological intensification (AEI) practices of smallholder farmers, this study contributes to climate change adaptation debates in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing a context-specific exploration of everyday traditional soil and water management practices employed by smallholder farmers in adapting food crop production to climate change. The study employed a qualitative research design, conducted household case studies, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a review of secondary data. We show that smallholder farmers employ diverse range of agronomic practices, with a particular emphasis on traditional soil and water management techniques. Such as the preparation and application of organic manure and compost, ridges formation, crop rotation, and cover cropping. These agronomic practices were complemented by the application of limited inorganic fertilizers and applied across different types of farms; compound and bush farms, valley fields, and gardens to adapt production to climate change. We argue that smallholder farmers are more inclined towards adopting AEI as a means of climate change adaptation due to their strong reliance on traditional farming methods, that draws heavily on local resources, indigenous knowledge as relatively affordable practices. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of incorporating an Endogenous Development (ED) approach in promoting AEI as part of climate change adaptation planning, particularly in rural Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African regions facing similar conditions.