How do farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change match or and mismatch climatic data? Evidence from North-west Ghana

Abstract

This paper investigates farmer perceptions of climate variability and change in rural North-west Ghana and compares with analyses of daily rainfall data (from 1960–2016) and monthly minimum and maximum temperature (1988–2014). Specifically, this study attempts to understand the following: (i) what does climatic data say about the nature of the past and current climate of North-west Ghana? (ii) what are farmer’s perceptions of climate variability and change? and (iii) how do analyses from climatic data match or and mismatch farmers’ perception of the climate? Statistical analyses and modelling of rainfall and temperature were performed, and the results compared with data collected through semi-structured questionnaire and qualitative interviews. The results from the farmer perceptions and analysis of climatic data largely disagreed. The only exception being agreement on increasing temperature. Specifically, farmers observed a shift in the start and end of the rainy season from March to June, and November to October respectively. However, the results from the climatic analyses showed variability in the start, end, and the length of the rainy season from 1960–2016. Even though farmers perceived changes in climate and climatic analysis showed variability, it is worth recognising that the two are problematic for farmers’ decision making. Therefore, to increase farmers′ resilience to climate variability and change, this paper suggests the following: (i) climate-smart agricultural practices such as high yielding and improved varieties of seeds must be made available to farmers at affordable prices- however, this paper argues that, the cultural aspects of the uses of crops must be considered in the provision of crops that are suitable to the prevailing climatic conditions, and (ii) the capacity of agricultural extension workers should be enhanced on climate variability and change, for example equipping them on analysis, interpretation, and application of climatic events so they can engage with farmers in a participatory pathway to deal with climate variability and change impacts.