Using traditional agroecological knowledge to adapt to climate change and variability in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Ghana's susceptibility to climate change is well documented and the agricultural sector which is the backbone of the country's economy is one of the most vulnerable sectors to the adverse effects of climate change. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods including household surveys and focus group discussions to examine the extent to which traditional agroecological knowledge is used to manage climate change in three selected communities (Gia, Gaani and Nyangua) of the Kassena Nankana Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study specifically answers the following research questions: (i) What is the extent of rainfall and temperature changes in the municipality from 1983–2017? (ii) What is the perception of farmers on rainfall and temperature changes in the selected communities for the past three decades? (iii) What are the key adaptation practices used by farmers to reduce the threats of climate change? (iv) What are the traditional agroecological indicators used by farmers to predict rainfall in the study communities? Mann-Kendall trend test was used to assess rainfall and temperature trends over the study period. Results from the trend analysis indicated an inconsistent pattern in rainfall and an increasing trend in temperature in the municipality. Results also showed that farmers perceived decreasing trend in rainfall as well as increasing temperature. Farmers’ perception of decreased trend in rainfall was inconsistent with the analysed rainfall data as the trend of rainfall was statistically insignificant (p>0.05) and Sen's slope confirmed a positive slope indicating that amounts of rainfall had increased in the municipality. The farmers employed a variety of on-farm and off-farm practices including the use of traditional agroecological knowledge, use of improved varieties of crops and temporary migration to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the study communities. The farmers predicted rainfall onset using a variety of traditional agroecological indicators including direction of wind, croaking of frogs, appearance of cattle egret and flowering and fruiting of local trees. The study recommends the putting in place of a framework that blends traditional agroecological knowledge and scientific knowledge to develop effective climate change adaptation strategies.