Farm households’ flood risk perception and adoption of flood disaster adaptation strategies in northern Ghana

Abstract

Northern Ghana is noted for its significant contribution to the food basket in Ghana. Farmers in the region suffer severely from extreme climatic conditions, with floods among the most devastating disasters. This study uses binary logistic regression model and the Poisson count model to address this threat to food security by analyzing the nexus between flood risk perception and farm households' adoption of flood disaster adaptation strategies in Northern Ghana, including significant factors such as off-farm employment, cooperative memberships, and access to credit. Results indicate that the flood disaster adaptation rate was low among farmers in the region, with only 41% adopting at least one adaptation strategy. Flood disaster risk perception had a significant effect on farm households' preparedness. Farm households with the perception of severe floods, high probability of flood occurrence, sense of worry, and threats to farm inputs and yield from flood disasters were more likely to adopt more strategies to adapt and mitigate flood risks. Additionally, off-farm employment, cooperative membership, access to credit, extension services, household income, and education significantly affected farmers’ flood disaster adaptation behaviour. This study recommends that great attention be shifted towards empowering farm households on flood risk awareness and the fundamental strategies involving on-farm (agronomic practices and farm water distribution) and off-farm practices (off-farm employment and cooperative memberships) to mitigate flood risks.