Abstract

Over the years, Brong Ahafo Region has experienced changes in climatic conditions. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate adaptation strategies of rural farmers to climate change in Wawasua community of the Sunyani Municipality. The data on 70 respondents selected were collected through focus group discussions, structured interviews and questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The study observed that the major effects of climate change on the rural farmers of Wawasua had been pest infestation, erratic rainfall, severe drought, increased temperature, food and water scarcity based on the levels of impact on the people’s livelihoods. Majority of the farmers in the area had adopted some mitigation measures that could be used to address the climate change challenges including altering inputs, varieties and species for increased resistance to heat shock and drought, flooding and salinization; altering fertilizer rates to maintain grain or fruit quality; altering amounts and timing of irrigation and other water management; altering the timing or location of cropping activities. Strategies that are often deeply rooted in local cultures and knowledge are recommended for the rural communities. The ministry of food and agriculture should initiate programs that will help address some of the identified climatic challenges affecting the basic elements of food production.

Keywords: Climate change; Livelihood; Adaptation strategies