Abstract
Maize is one of the most common cereals and a major staple that is cultivated across all agro-ecological zones in Ghana. However, maize productivity is affected by changes in climate, such as increased temperature and variations in rainfall. These changes in climate require farmers to implement practices (adaptation strategies) in order to reduce the magnitude of crop losses. This study examined how the perceptions of maize farmers regarding climate change affect their choice of adaptation strategies. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. Data was collected by means of a survey of 386 maize farmers along with focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multivariate probit regression, while qualitative responses were used to explain the findings. Results from the data analysis indicated that maize farmers employed 17 adaptation strategies in adapting to climate change. The most common strategies identified were change of planting days, crop diversification, use of resistant varieties, and monitoring weather forecasts on radio. Furthermore, the factors that influenced the choice of adaptation strategies by maize farmers in both zones were experience in farming, household size, and perceptions about the impact and intensity of climate change.
Highlights
Maize is the most cultivated cereal crop in Ghana, accounting for up to half of the country's total cereal crop production (MOFA, 2017)
The results indicate that the difference between perceptions among smallholder maize farmers in the two agro-ecological zones is statistically significant (p 1⁄4 0.00)
It is concluded in the study that maize farmers in the two agroecological zones have ample perceptions of climate change indicated in increased rainfall, late onset of rains, increased temperature due to intense sunshine, as well as erratic rainfall
Summary
Maize is the most cultivated cereal crop in Ghana, accounting for up to half of the country's total cereal crop production (MOFA, 2017). It is one of the major staple crops produced by smallholder farmers in all agro-ecological zones in Ghana and is an essential component of animal feed (Mwambo et al, 2020; Scheiterle and Birner, 2016). In adapting to the effects of climate change, rural farmers as well as formal research institutions have generated a number of adaptation strategies (Abdoulaye et al, 2017; Kuwornu et al, 2013). A major reason for this phenomenon is the perception smallholder maize farmers have about climate change. In order to adapt to climate change, farmers need to perceive ongoing changes as serious enough to warrant adaptation to the observed changes (Abid et al, 2015)
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