Fulani herders and indigenous strategies of climate change adaptation in Kpongu community, North-Western Ghana: implications for adaptation planning

Abstract

ABSTRACT The literature on indigenous adaptation strategies has generally focused on food crop farming with limited perspectives on livestock production, particularly in Africa. This study draws on qualitative data to identify and categorize the various indigenous adaptation strategies of herdsmen in cattle production. The results reveal multiple indigenous strategies of climate change adaptation in cattle herding among the Fulani. These include mobility-based strategies, diversification of sources of feed, labour division for meeting differentiated needs of cattle, and stress management in cattle. The results suggest that the integration of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation planning is imperative for developing socially acceptable and sustainable adaptation strategies. This will require a bridge of the differences between formal and informal stakeholders in adaptation planning by creating a common platform for dialogue at all levels in arid environments.