Adverse Effects Of Climate Variability Research Articles

Evaluating Challenges and Opportunities in Greenhouse Farming among Smallholder Vegetable Producers in Kericho County, Kenya

Greenhouse technology has an important role to play in minimising adverse effects of climate variability on vegetable production. Studies indicate that greenhouse farmers face several challenges, sometimes leading to the abandonment of Greenhouses. The types and levels of severity of the challenges have not been adequately documented and acted upon on a context-specific basis, yet the demand for Greenhouse fresh produce is increasing, particularly in populated urban areas. This study identified and evaluated core challenges, available opportunities, and a concatenation of the challenges with productivity perceptions among Greenhouse farmers in Kericho County. A cross-sectional survey design drawing on data from 10% of Greenhouse farmers from each of the six Sub-counties was adopted for the study. Structured and unstructured interview schedules were administered to 59 sampled farmers and 16 Extension agents. The Henry Garret ranking method was used to analyse ranked data on challenges from farmers’ views and potential opportunities from Extension agents. A one-sample Wilcoxon test was used to analyse the deviation of views from ‘neutral’. Challenge due to pests and diseases was significantly higher than hypothesised median of 3 (neutral); Z = 5.198, P< .01. Cost of inputs and lack of finances for maintenance were significantly higher than neutral; Z = 5.061, P< .01 and Z = 3.810, P< .01 respectively. The top five challenges based on Garrett scores were pests & diseases, cost of inputs, maintenance costs, inadequate water, and initial costs. Top-ranked opportunities were integrated pest & disease management, farm-inputs subsidy, information on crop varieties, support from extension and capacity building in water harvesting. Concatenations existed between productivity of greenhouse units with quality of produce, ease of access to markets and profitability of greenhouses. The study recommends stakeholders’ concerted effort towards utilisation of the opportunities identified to enhance sustainable Greenhouse productivity among smallholder vegetable producers

Farmers’ Perception of Indigenous Seasonal Forecast Indicators in North Central Burkina Faso

West African Sahel is one of the most exposed areas to the adverse effects of climate variability in the world. All agricultural production systems are affected. However, farmers use indigenous knowledge that enable them to make short, medium, and long-term seasonal predictions in order to adapt their agricultural calendar to these climatic risks. In the North Central region of Burkina Faso, this knowledge is not well documented. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the indigenous indicators of seasonal forecasts and analyze factors affecting their reliability. Surveys were carried out in focus group discussions with 204 farmers in 10 localities across the region. Results showed that farmers use meteorological (cold, heat, wind, clouds, rainfall distribution), biological (food plants phenology, migratory bird behaviour, occurrence of insects), astronomical (sun, moon, stars), religious or magical indicators to predict the coming rainy season. The intensity and duration of the cold period, heat intensity and the formation of dark cloud (April-May) are signs of an early start of the rainy season (or a wet season). Likewise, the abundant leafing, flowering and fruiting of Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa, Lannea acida, Adansonia digitata and Tamarindus indica (April-May) predict a wet rainy season, while abundant fruiting of Sclerocarya birrea indicates a drought. The arrival period (May-June) of migratory birds heralds a start of the season. Nowadays, climate change, the degradation of plant resources and increasing human pressure are affecting the reliability of these indigenous seasonal forecast indicators in the North Central region of Burkina Faso.

Identifying strategies for adaptation of rural women to climate variability in water scarce areas

The current research aims to identify adaptation strategies adopted by rural women of Fars province in dealing with climate variability. This study is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive-correlational in terms of methodology, and field type in terms of data collection. The statistical population were rural women who were members of agricultural households in Fars province, which have been affected by climatic variability in four climatic zones: cold, mild, hot, and very hot. This study was conducted using survey method. A structured questionnaire was designed and its face and content validities were verified using experts' opinions. The size of the studied sample was estimated using Cochran's formula. For sampling, a combined stratified and cluster sampling method was used. Data were collected from 406 respondents from 32 villages in eight counties of Fars province. Then, the data was analyzed. In total, 43 adaptation strategies of rural women were classified in the form of four categories of strategies for development and diversification of income sources, cost management, social capital management, and environmental stress management. The most important adaptation strategy used by rural women against climatic changes has been the cost management strategy. The use of facilities and loans is the most important strategy among the cost management strategies that can lead to reducing the negative effects of climate variability on rural women. Then, the strategy of development and diversification of income sources, management of social capital, and management of environmental tensions were placed in the second to fourth places of adaptation strategies used by rural women under climate variability. The results of this study indicate that the rural women of Fars province are not only passive victims of climate changes, but they act actively and hope to adapt to sudden climate changes. Using prudent strategies, they employ their experience and expertise to reduce the adverse effects of climate variability.

Determinants of yam farmers’ adaptation practices to climate variability in the Ejura Sekyedumase municipality, Ghana

This study assessed the factors affecting yam farmers' adaptation practices to climate variability in the Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana. Primary data was collected through 160 household surveys and 8 key informant interviews. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors affecting the yam farmers’ choice of adaptation practices. Findings revealed that the yam farmers perceived climate variability through changes in the onset and patterns of rainfall, increasing windstorms, and rising temperatures. The yam farmers perceived the adverse effects of climate variability on their yam production to include a reduction in yam yields (98%), decreased income of farmers (97%), and reduced soil fertility (97%). Findings also showed that the yam farmers utilized key adaptation practices including changing the planting period of yam (88%), planting early-maturing yam seeds/varieties (86%), and intercropping yam with other crops (84%). The key adaptation practices implemented by the farmers were significantly affected by socioeconomic factors including age, years of stay in the community, household size, access to extension services, marital status, education, farming experience, access to climate information, estimated farm size, and estimated farm income (p < 0.05). The empirical findings of this study reinforce the importance of policymakers devising suitable climate variability adaptation policies for yam farmers in Ghana while taking into cognizance the socioeconomic factors that could affect their adoption of such adaptation practices.

Assessing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana

This study assessed the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to address the adverse effects of climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to (i) assess the perception of the smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability; (ii) determine the perceived effects of climate variability on cocoa production in the district; and; (iii) evaluate the adaptive capacity of the smallholder cocoa farmers to manage climate risks. The study used questionnaire surveys with 150 smallholder cocoa farmers, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in three selected communities (Afiaso, Tonkoase, and Amudurase). A variety of capital assets (social, financial, human, physical, and natural) were utilized to conceptualize smallholder cocoa farmers’ adaptive capacity. Results showed that the smallholder cocoa farmers reported changes in the onset and duration of rains, rising temperatures, and increasing windstorms in the selected communities. The farmers perceived increased incidence of drought and cocoa failure, the prevalence of diseases and pest invasion, and decreased farmer income as the key adverse effects on their cocoa production. Further, findings also revealed that cumulatively, all the selected communities in Adansi South District had a moderate adaptive capacity (0.531). It is recommended that appropriate policies aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers must be formulated by policymakers to minimize their vulnerabilities to climate risks.

Perceived Effects of Rainfall and Temperature Variability on Yields of Cereal Crops in the Mion District of Northern Ghana

Climate variability has been a major threat to achieving sustainable food production in many countries, including Ghana. This is attributable to insufficient and erratic rainfall coupled with increasing temperature. This study examined the perceived effects of rainfall and temperature variability on yields of cereal crops in the Mion District of the Northern Region. The study reveals that farmers in the Mion District have experienced changes in climatic conditions evident in high temperatures and low rainfall. The study also reveals that rainfall and temperature variability adversely affect the yields of cereal crops such as rice, maize, and millet. The effect could manifest in either yield reduction or total crop failure of cereals. The study also showed that factors that enable farmers to respond to impacts of rainfall and temperature variability are Agric extension services, application of fertilizer, irrigation farming, use of improved seeds, and favourable government policies such as subsidies and credit facilities. The study, therefore, concludes that yields of cereal crops are adversely affected by rainfall and temperature variability. However, farmers resort to Agric extension services, application of fertilizer, irrigation farming, use of improved variety of seeds, and favourable government policies in response to the impacts of rainfall and temperature variability. The study recommends that government should employ more extension agents and construct more irrigation facilities in the Mion District to reduce the adverse effects of climate variability on yields of cereal crops.

Climate Variability in the Sudanian Zone of Côte d’Ivoire: Weather Observations, Perceptions, and Adaptation Strategies of Farmers

Located in the extreme north of Côte d’Ivoire, the Sudanian zone is an area where 95% of the population depends on agricultural activities, particularly rain-fed agriculture. Given the serious threats that climate variability poses to food security and household incomes, it is important to understand the evolution of climate variables and their impacts on crops, perceptions, and adaptation measures taken by farmers. To do this, various statistical analyses were conducted using rainfall and temperature data from 1987 to 2018. These analyses were coupled with a survey of 287 farmers. The results showed a strong variability of precipitation marked by the succession of deficit and surplus periods with a return to wetter conditions since 2008. At the same time, an increase in temperature was observed. These phenomena have been perceived by farmers. Thus, to cope with the adverse effects of climate variability, farmers have developed numerous adaptation strategies that include the use of organic manure, agroforestry, changing planting dates, and introducing new crops, notably cashews.

National Environmental Policy 2013 Adaptation Strategies for Sustainability of Samburu Pastoral Community in Samburu Central Sub-County Kenya

The purpose of this paper is to underscore the importance of environmental policy implementation for sustainable development among the Samburu pastoralist community of Kenya. The need to manage environment in order to reduce loss of biodiversity and the adverse effects of climate variability is the preoccupation of many governments. Adaptation strategies have been suggested by global institutions to protect the rural vulnerable communities, to adapt to climate variability, resourced based conflicts and environmental degradation. Kenyan National Government enacted The National Environmental Policy 2013 to address the management of the ecosystem and sustainable use of natural resources to foster sustainability of especially the vulnerable pastoral and nomadic communities like the Samburu. Existing literature on the implementation of the Government environmental policy 2013 suggests that little has been achieved to find out traditional knowledge of the Samburu people on adaptation strategies on the administration of environment and natural resources for their own sustainability. The study was guided by the following questions: What are the adaptation strategies to loss of bio-diversity among the Samburu pastoral community in Samburu Central Sub-County? How do the Samburu pastoral community manage pasture and water resources for their sustainability? What are the strategies the Samburu people use to enhance food security? The study employed hermeneutic phenomenology qualitative research design. Ecosystem theory was used to guide the study. Both primary and secondary data were used by the study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionares, in-depth interviews, written field notes, Focused Group Discussions and recording of the interviews to collect invaluable information from 20 participants composed of Samburu elders (lpayani), morans (Lmuran), women (ntomonok) in Samburu Central Sub-County, Samburu County. Secondary data was collected by reviewing literature from google scholar, jystor, mendeley desktop, online libraries, National and County Government websites to access academic journal articles, books and reports. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify key informers from the Samburu community who participated and have valuable knowledge in the environmental administration and sustainable use of natural resources among the Samburu pastoral community. Ethical consideration was adhered to while conducting research at every stage. Data collected from the field was filtered into themes, coded, interpreted and reported as the main findings. The study found out that the success of the adaptation strategies advocated by the Environmental policy 2013 for sustainability of the Samburu pastoralist community of Kenya depends on how the National and County Government is able to incorporate traditional knowledge of the Samburu people on environmental administration and sustainable use of pasture and water. The fact that the Samburu people have been able to adopt to adverse of loss of bio-diversity, harsh climatic conditions that complicated the management of pasture and water, and diversification of livelihoods to address food insecurity points to the need to integrate traditional knowledge with scientific knowledge. Keywords: Environmental management, National Environmental Policy 2013, Adaptation Strategies, Samburu pastoralist, Sustainability

Influence of the Year and Growing Area on Maize (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Zea mays&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Production in the Central and North-Central Zones of C&amp;#244;te d’Ivoire (Departments of Bouake and Katiola)

Several studies conducted in recent years in Côte d’Ivoire reveal that agriculture is increasingly affected by the adverse effects of climate variability. The present study aims at evaluating the effect of the zone and the year of cultivation on the productivity of maize in the Central and North-Central zones of Cote d’Ivoire. It was carried out for two years (2020 and 2021). The experimental design used was a completely randomized block design with three replications. Observations were made on 12 agronomic parameters (plant size, internode size, collar diameter, number of leaves, number of internodes, cob insertion level, cob length, cob diameter, total kernels, cob dry weight, kernel dry weight, yield). The results showed that all agronomic traits of maize were significantly influenced by locality, except for the number of leaves. The highest values of the traits were observed in the locality of Bouaké. However, the year of cultivation did not influence the agronomic parameters of maize. This study will help to avoid yield decreases due to rainfall disturbances as a consequence of climate change.

The Potential of Hydro-Climate Forecast Strategies in Sustaining Agricultural Productivity amongst Rainfed Farmers in West Africa: A Review

Several studies have reported a significant yearly decrease in forest cover globally, using satellite images. This is especially true in West Africa, where rapid urbanisation acerbates the problem, and both of these changes lead to alterations in rainfall regime and other changes in climatic parameters. Several studies reveal that adaptation which reduces vulnerability to adverse climatic variation effects is the key to developing resilience against climate change. In this region, over 90% of farmers are engaged in small-scale rainfed crop cultivation and rely on their own weather perception, instincts and what they observe from the surrounding biota (flora and fauna) to forecast the weather and plan their agricultural activities. The pressing nature of the problem of climate variability in Africa had provoked a lot of research into developing and testing several adaptation strategies to control the situation. Various strategies to improve and localize global, regional and national climate services (Local Forecast, Scientific Forecast and Integrated Forecast) needed by the farmers are being developed to build resilience against climate change. This review illustrates the situation in Ghana and identifies various forecast strategies developed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability on agricultural productivity. These mitigation methods include the development of climate services to provide users with forecast information in order to make climate-smart decisions to minimize the risk.

Effect of climate variability on yields of selected staple food crops in northern Ghana

Agriculture in Ghana is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate variability. This poses a challenge to food security across the country. Despite this vulnerability, limited research has been conducted to understand the effect of climate variability on the yields of staple food crops in Ghana. This study assessed the effect of climate variability on the yields of selected staple food crops (millet, sorghum, rice, groundnut and maize). The study used the Mann-Kendall trend test and multiple regression analysis to assess how climate variability (in annual rainfall, onset, cessation, number of dry days and temperature) has affected the yields of selected food crops in five districts in northern Ghana (Bole, Nanton, Tolon, Kassena Nankana East and Wa) over a 21-year period (1995–2016). Results suggested a marginal decrease in annual rainfall ( p > 0.05) and a significant increase in temperature ( p < 0.05) over the period of study in the districts. Variability in the onset, cessation, length of rainy days and number of dry days was statistically significant from year to year, and also across the districts ( p < 0.05). Results indicated substantial variability in the yields of the selected staple food crops. Temperature, number of dry days, onset, annual rainfall and cessation explained about 43%, 32%, 30%, 25% and 14%, respectively of the variations in the yields of groundnut, sorghum, millet, maize and rice. Our results generally suggest that the changing climate substantially affects food production in the study districts, highlighting the need for adaptations including the use of agricultural diversification and the greater use of drought tolerant varieties of these staple crops, as well as the continuing investment in crop breeding programmes to enhance drought tolerance. • Climatic variables (annual rainfall, onset, cessation, number of dry days and temperature) are erratic in northern Ghana. • Changing climate substantially affects food production in northern Ghana. • Continuing investment in crop breeding programmes to enhance drought tolerance.

Rural households\u2019 livelihood vulnerability to climate variability and extremes: a livelihood zone-based approach in the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia

BackgroundThe adverse effects of climate variability and extremes exert increasing pressure on rural farm households whose livelihoods are dependent on nature. However, integrated and area-specific vulnerability assessments in Ethiopia in general and the study area, in particular, are scarce and insufficient for policy implications. Therefore, this study aims to quantify, map, classify, and prioritize the level of vulnerability in terms of the components of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity in the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia. The study area is divided into six livelihood zones, namely, Abay-Beshilo Basin (ABB), South Wollo and Oromia eastern lowland sorghum and cattle (SWS), Chefa Valley (CHV), Meher-Belg, Belg, and Meher. A total of 361 sample households were selected using proportional probability sampling techniques. Survey questionnaire, key informant interview, and focus group discussions were used to collect the necessary data. Rainfall and temperature data were also used. Following the IPCC’s climate change vulnerability assessment approach, the climate vulnerability index (CVI) framework of Sullivan and Meigh’s model was used to assess the relative vulnerability of livelihoods of rural households. Twenty-four vulnerability indicators were identified for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components. In this regard, Iyengar and Sudarshan’s unequal weighting system was applied to assign a weight to indicators.ResultsThe results revealed that Belg and Meher were found to be the highest exposure livelihood zones to vulnerability with an aggregated value of 0.71. Equally, SWS, ABB, Belg, and CHV livelihood zones showed moderate level of sensitivity to vulnerability with an aggregated value between 0.45 and 0.60. The study noted that livelihood zone of Belg (0.75) was found to be at high level of livelihood vulnerability. ABB (0.57) and CHV (0.45) were at a moderate level of livelihood vulnerability while Meher-Belg (0.22) was the least vulnerable livelihood zone due to a high level of adaptive capacity such as infrastructure, asset accumulation, and social networks.ConclusionIt was identified that disparities of livelihood vulnerability levels of rural households were detected across the study livelihood zones due to differences in the interaction of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components. The highest levels of exposure and sensitivity combined with low level of adaptive capacity have increased households’ livelihood vulnerability. More importantly, the biophysical and socioeconomic sensitivity to livelihood vulnerability were exacerbated by slope/topography, soil erodibility, and population pressure. Therefore, designing livelihood zone-based identifiable adaptation strategies are essential to reduce the exposure and sensitivity of crop-livestock mixed agricultural systems to climate calamity.

Climate variability and macroeconomic output in Ethiopia: the analysis of nexus and impact via asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method

Ethiopia showed a rapid, yet, a none resilient economic growth much threatened by climate variability. In Ethiopia, the adverse effects of climate variability are stipulated among the significant factors constraining its economic development. There are relatively few studies about the adverse effects of climate variability on the Ethiopian macroeconomy. In this context, little is known about the exact effects of the ongoing climate variability on Ethiopian macroeconomic growth. This study intends to examine whether climate variability factors, for instance rainfall and temperature, have an effect on the macroeconomic output of Ethiopia. An asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method is used to investigate time-series data for the years 1950–2014. Diagnostic tests show the relevance of the applied method and robustness of our results. The study finds climate variability affects Ethiopia’s economic growth in the long run. Rainfall and temperature fluctuation induce significant negative impacts. A percentage annual temperature variability for instance decreases the Ethiopian annual gross domestic yield (GDP) up to 4.5 percent. In the short run, climate variability particularly rainfall and temperature changes also have a profound effect on Ethiopia’s economic output. Within such confirmed climate change impacts, Ethiopia should carry out more on adapting and mitigating the impacts as it is presented on its climate-resilient economic growth policies and strategies. In spite of the policy contribution of the results, the study will motivate further research and will also serve as a benchmark for the coming Ethiopian studies.

Land Evaluation, Sustainable Land Management and Impacts of Climate Change in Agriculture; Ethiopia: Review

Sustainable land management has emerged as an issue of major global concern. In many countries particularly in Ethiopia, the concern of suitable land management is because of the increasing population pressure on limited land resources, demanding for increased food production, the degradation of land and water resources accelerating rapidly. If the lands well suited for agriculture, it will follows further increases in production to meet the food demands of increasing populations, must come about by the more intensive use of existing agricultural lands. Climate &amp; soil conditions, land use type and management, determine the production limit.To contest cited venomous effects of intensification, regard to environmental effects requires the development and implementation of technologies and policies, which will result in sustainable land management (Gisla-dottir and Stocking, 2005; Campbell and Hagmann, 2003). The major factors reason for low productivity include dependence on traditional farming techniques, soil degradation caused by overgrazing and deforestation, poor corresponding services such as extension, credit, marketing, infrastructure, and climatic factors such as drought and flood (Deressa, Hassan, &amp; Ringler, 2011). In addition to the low soil fertility, soil degradation in Ethiopia; reduces soil productivity which results to food insecurity, economic losses and aggravates the recurrent droughts (Shiferaw &amp; Holden, 1999; Mitiku et al., 2006). It has also increases vulnerability of people to the adverse effects of climate variability and change, by reducing soil organic carbon level and water holding capacity, which in turn decreases agricultural productivity and local resource assets (TerrAfrica, 2009; Nyssen et. al., 2003a; Hurni, 2000; Mitiku Haile,2006 &amp; Daniel et al., 2015). Climate change causes wide-ranging effects on the environment, socioeconomic and associated sectors: water resources, agriculture and food security, human health, terrestrial ecosystems, and biodiversity (Belay Zerga &amp; Getaneh Gebeyehu, 2016). Ethiopia is extremely vulnerable to climate related disasters including drought, heavy rains, floods, frost and heat waves which leads to a negative impacts on agriculture, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development (NMA 2007). Planning of changes in land use requires a inclusive knowledge of the natural resources; a trustworthy estimate of what they are capable of producing, so that reliable predictions and recommendations can be made. Production potential, the conservation of soil and water resources for use by future generations requires consideration in planning land development. For these reasons sustainable land management is now getting considerable attention from development experts, policy makers and researchers. In long-term period, any utilization over its capability of the land will cause degradation and yield reduction. Therefore, to know the land production capacity and to allocate the land to the satisfactory and to the most profitable should be cared.

Climate variability and adaptation among small holder banana farmers in mountain regions of Kenya

Banana production is the mainstay industry for majority of small holder farmers living in the mountain regions of Kenya. These regions are affected by climate-related impacts at all levels of the value chain. This paper therefore discusses climate trends, related impacts, and adaptations in banana value chain in Mt. Kenya region for the period between 1980 and 2017. The study locations were purposively selected from Mt. Kenya region to include both Imenti South and Mukurweini sub-counties. A sample of 381 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Triangulation research design was used to guide the study by integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection and analysis. Historical document analysis was used to examine climatic data (temperature and rainfall) from the Kenya Meteorological Department, Nairobi. Results showed that rainfall and temperature have changed during the study period. Temperature trends in Mukurweini showed R2 = 0.3314 while in Imenti South R2 =0.3441 with an overall annual increase in temperature in Mukurweini by 0.02°C while in Imenti South we registered an increase by 0.016°C for the study period. Mukurweini sub-county rainfall trend line had R2 =-0.1064 while Imenti South sub-county had R2 =-0.1014. Adverse effects of climate variability on banana value chain included low yields in both Mukurweini (79.2%) and Imenti South (60.2%) sub-counties. Farmers in the study area preferred irrigation (57.2%) followed by crop diversification (13.9%) as adaptive strategies to climate variability.

Does Cassava-Based Farmers’ Sociodemographic Characteristics and Perception Predict Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability in Rain Forest and Derived Savannah Ecosystems of Nigeria?

The study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics of cassava-based (CB) farmers’ and their perception of climate variability as predictors of their adaptation strategies. The study covers cassava-based farmers in both the rain forest and derived savannah ecosystems of Nigeria. The study described the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, their perception of climate variability, adaptation strategies and their socio-demographic factors influencing climate variability adaptation strategies. A cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling procedure, was used to sample 400 cassava-based farmers in the study area. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) regression. Results indicated that 71.68% of the CB farmers were males, married (85.21%), had primary school certificates (30.08%) and received trainings in local adaptation strategy technologies (62.41%) and climate adaptation strategies (65.16%). Majority (68.67%) felt climate variability implied low yield and reduced water supply for farming activities in some years (69.42%). Most (85.21%) CB farmers combatted climate variability through water management practices, 68.17% utilised weather forecast information while 44.86% adapted planting and harvesting time to target peak produce prices. Farmers’ perception and their socioeconomic characteristics that predicted their climate variability strategies included access to extension training (p<0.01), experience of previous season’s low yield (p<0.01), membership of professional associations (p<0.01), farming experience (p<0.10) and credit access (p<0.10). Cassava-based farmers’ climate variability perception and their sociodemographic characteristics predicted their climate variability adaptation strategies. Enhancement trainings and improved formal credit access are veritable ways to minimise the adverse effects of climate variability on cassava production in the study area. Keywords: Climate, Perception, Adaptation, Cassava farmers, Ecosystem, Multivariate probit. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-11-04 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Climate-Smart Practices of Smallholder Farmers in Cameroon Confronted with Climate Variability and Change: The Example of Agroforestry

Faced with the adverse effects of climate variability and change (CVC), agro-ecological farming practices like agroforestry are crucial especially for smallholder farmers who are extremely vulnerable. It was within this context that this study appraised smallholder farmers’ agroforestry practices faced with climate change adversities. Biophysical and socio-economic data were collected from ten villages in Cameroon. Findings showed that climate parameters have experienced significant fluctuations in the past five decades. Smallholder farmers practice several agroforestry practices and integrate a plethora of tree/shrub species on agroforestry plots in order to adapt to climate change. Six main types of agroforestry trees/shrub species (trees/shrubs used for fuelwood, fruits, building materials, fodder, soil improvement, medicines) were integrated by smallholder farmers within agroforestry plots. T test and Chi-square test statistics indicated a strong non-causal relationship between explanatory variables (institutional and socio-economic attributes) and smallholder farmers’ agroforestry practicing decision faced with CVC. Logistic regression showed that a strong positive causal relationship exists between four explanatory variables (age of household head, access to information, access to credit and degree of vulnerability) and smallholder farmers’ agroforestry practicing decision faced with CVC. The study therefore recommends that institutional and socio-economic factors (credit facilities and reliable information) fostering smallholder farmers’ practice of agroforestry faced with CVC should be provided by governmental and non-governmental agencies in order to enhance the odds of smallholder farmers practicing agroforestry faced with the adverse effects of CVC.

Does Land-Use Policy Moderate Impacts of Climate Anomalies on LULC Change in Dry-Lands? An Empirical Enquiry into Drivers and Moderators of LULC Change in Southern Ethiopia

The study set out to understand drivers of Land-Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in dry-land areas and investigate factors helping mitigate the adverse impacts of climate anomalies on LULC changes. By employing a mixed-methods design, it combined LULC data with socioeconomic and climatic data, to analyze the pattern of LULC changes and its socioeconomic and climatic driving forces along with moderating factors. It was found that rangeland decreased by 764 km2 (13% of total area) between 1986 and 2015. The results from the Seemingly Unrelated time series regression models confirmed preliminary evidence that climate variability, as well as adaptive land-use policies lacking components of sustainability increase the likelihood of degradation and contraction of rangelands. We also found an indication from the qualitative data that a widening power gap between the customary and statutory governance system reinforces unsustainable land use by obscuring the values of the customary land governance system. However, those policies encompassing economic and natural resource development objectives abate adverse effects of climate variability on land degradation and shrinkage of rangelands. The results suggest that a land governance system with natural resource development objectives fitting to the local context could be an effective policy instrument to lessen the adverse effects of climate anomalies on LULC changes. Although this study focused on analyzing the LULC changes and its drivers in dry-land area, the findings may well have a bearing on the formulation and implementation of effective adaptation and sustainable land-use policies.

Mitigation of the Adverse Effects of the El Niño (El Niño, La Niña) Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Phenomenon and the Most Important Diseases in Avocado cv. Hass Crops.

Areas cultivated with Hass avocado crops in Colombia have growth rapidly. One of the major limitations is the avocado wilt complex disease (AWC) caused by biotic and abiotic factors which have increased under the El Niño southern oscillation ENSO phenomenon (El Niño, La Niña). The objective of this study was to evaluate different strategies for mitigating the adverse effects associated with the ENSO phenomenon and AWC in avocado crops. We evaluated native materials, mulches, and parameters associated with the production of seedlings and planting practices in the field. The response variables tested were plant development, incidence, severity, mortality, and microbial dynamics, among others. The results indicated that native genotypes of Persea americana had different levels of adaptability to drought and flooding conditions. These genotypes also showed some degree of resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi and Verticillium sp. infection with several degrees of rootstock-scion incompatibility with the Hass cultivar. In addition, mulch reduced the variability of soil moisture and temperature in the soil profile. Adequate selection of genotypes and new tools for planting have decreased the susceptibility to adverse effects associated with the ENSO phenomenon and the incidence and mortality caused by diseases under drought and flooding conditions. This work presents alternatives to mitigate adverse effects of climate variability in avocado crops under tropical conditions.

Farmers’ willingness-to-pay for weather information through mobile phones in northern Ghana

Access to climate information is one of the ways by which farmers can reduce the adverse effects of climate variability and change. However, in Ghana, and in particular, Northern Ghana there is a gap between meteorological information and farming activities. This paper examined farmers’ willingness-to-pay for weather forecasts provided through mobile phone messaging. A total of 391 respondents, selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure was used. Based on the contingent valuation framework, a double-hurdle model was estimated. On average, a farmer was willing to pay GH₵ 122.15 annually for weather forecasts in the form of a text message. The results of the selection equation of the double-hurdle model show that sex, education, production aim, adaptive capacity and climate information source were significant and positively influenced willingness to pay for weather forecast while age and credit access negatively influenced same. Similarly, while dependency, extension service and adaptive capacity were significant and positively influenced the amounts farmers were willing to pay, sex and climate information access, negatively influenced the same. It is concluded that although the willingness-to-pay for weather forecast is low, especially, among male farmers, there exists a market for weather forecast that can be harnessed by the meteorological agencies. Some of the categories of farmers that may be targeted for demand and policy formulation are the following: farmers with formal education; farmers with access to extension services; market-oriented farmers; and farmers with adaptive capacity to climate change.