Determinants of Farmers’ Climate Risk Perceptions in Agriculture—A Rural Ghana Perspective

Francis Ndamani,Tsunemi Watanabe

doi:10.3390/w9030210

Abstract

This study evaluates the socio-economic predictors of farmers’ perceptions about climate risk in agriculture. The levels of risk perception among different farmers’ wealth groups are also investigated. A total of 100 farmers in the Lawra district of Ghana are randomly selected and interviewed. Data is obtained through the use of semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. A climate risk perception index (CRPI) is derived and applied to assess the degree of perceived risk among different wealth groups of farmers. The linear regression model is also used to analyze the data. The results showed that 93% of farmers have perceived climate risk while 7% are not sure if they have perceived it. Results of the CRPI showed that resource-poor farmers are concerned about climate risk on agricultural production, while resource-moderate and resource-rich farmers are concerned about risk impacts on climatic variables, and health and socio-economy, respectively. Results of the regression model showed that education, age, a perceived increase in human disease and mortality, and a decrease in food security and incomes are predictors of risk perception. The policy implication of this study is that predictors of farmers’ climate risk perception should be factored into climate change risk communication in order to boost awareness and adaptation to climate change.

Highlights

The agriculture sector is highly sensitive to climate change
The findings show that farmers in Lawra district generally perceived climate change risk impacts in terms of agricultural production, biodiversity and forestry, health and socio-economy and climatic variables (Table 6)
The findings show that resource-poor farmers are very concerned about climate change risk impacts on agricultural production (i.e., climate risk perception index (CRPI) = 130), while resource-moderate and resource-rich farmers are concerned about risks on climatic variables (i.e., CRPI = 129) and health and socio-economy (i.e., CRPI = 132), respectively

Summary

Introduction

The agriculture sector is highly sensitive to climate change. In Africa, for instance, studies have shown that climate change embodies a significant threat to current production systems, infrastructures and markets, and farmers’ livelihoods [1]. In semi-arid Africa where many people subsist on rain-fed agriculture with limited access to safety nets, climate change can exacerbate food shortage and low income conditions of the already visibly poor in society. In Ghana, studies have shown that climate change effects (e.g., rainfall variability) have led to a decrease in volume of the annual production of staple crops [2]. Adaptation practices are pre-emptive in nature and are meant to lessen adverse effects and take advantage of potential benefits of an envisaged change in climatic variables [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion