Effect of Action Against Hunger intervention on crop farmers' production level in climate change affected areas of Kita, Kayes region of Mali

Abstract

Cereal crop production in Kita, Kayes region of Mali is on a serious decline due to climate change effects. Hence, Action Against Hunger (AAH) intervention was launched towards addressing climate change effects in Kita in view of increasing level of agricultural production and standard of living of the local farmers. Therefore, the study examined the effect of AAH intervention on crop farmers' production. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 223 from 1,226 beneficiaries of AAH intervention in Kita circle while 101 non-beneficiaries were randomly selected from Bafoulabé circle where no similar projects were going on. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency counts, mean, charts and percentages. Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to determine relationships between relevant variables. T-test was used to determine significant difference between beneficiaries' level of production before and after intervention and between beneficiaries' and non-beneficiaries' level of production after intervention. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine significant contribution of the independent variables to dependant variable. Attitude towards AAH intervention (r=0.198, p<0.05) had significant relationship with change in beneficiaries' production. Significant difference existed between level of production of beneficiaries before - =2138.6748 and after =2445.6098 intervention (t=11.929, p<0.01) but the level of change was low (65.0%). Difference also exists between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries level of production. Major determinants of change in level of production were monthly income (β= 0.499, p<0.01) and farm size (β=0.374, p<0.01).