Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana

This study adopted mixed methods design and employed questionnaire and interview to investigate climate trends and smallholder farmers' perception of climate change as well as the relationship between climate data and farmers' perception, and the determinants of perception in Adansi North...

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Main Authors: Peter Asare-Nuamah, Ebo Botchway
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-12-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844019367246
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author Peter Asare-Nuamah
Ebo Botchway
author_facet Peter Asare-Nuamah
Ebo Botchway
author_sort Peter Asare-Nuamah
collection DOAJ
description This study adopted mixed methods design and employed questionnaire and interview to investigate climate trends and smallholder farmers' perception of climate change as well as the relationship between climate data and farmers' perception, and the determinants of perception in Adansi North District of Ghana. The study randomly and purposively selected 378 respondents and 41 key informants, respectively. Descriptive, inferential, trend and thematic analysis were employed. Results showed that the majority of smallholder farmers have observed increase in intensity (96.8%) and duration (94.7%) of temperature, and delay onset (82.8%) and early cessation (89.2%) of rainfall as well as increase in wind intensity (79.4%). Climate data also revealed rising trends of rainfall, wind speed and temperature. Nevertheless, there was no significant relationship between farmers' perception and climate data. Information from family and friends and government, particularly local institutions and extension service significantly influence farmers' perception. In addition, television and radio were significant predictors of farmers’ perception. The study recommends intensification of climate education, mass awareness and capacity development programmes.
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spelling doaj.art-351a3ca9d4d54fbca95927d0f2d12e482022-12-22T01:26:59ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402019-12-01512e03065Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of GhanaPeter Asare-Nuamah0Ebo Botchway1Pan African University, P.O. Box 18. Soa, Cameroon; Corresponding author.University of Professional Studies, Accra, GhanaThis study adopted mixed methods design and employed questionnaire and interview to investigate climate trends and smallholder farmers' perception of climate change as well as the relationship between climate data and farmers' perception, and the determinants of perception in Adansi North District of Ghana. The study randomly and purposively selected 378 respondents and 41 key informants, respectively. Descriptive, inferential, trend and thematic analysis were employed. Results showed that the majority of smallholder farmers have observed increase in intensity (96.8%) and duration (94.7%) of temperature, and delay onset (82.8%) and early cessation (89.2%) of rainfall as well as increase in wind intensity (79.4%). Climate data also revealed rising trends of rainfall, wind speed and temperature. Nevertheless, there was no significant relationship between farmers' perception and climate data. Information from family and friends and government, particularly local institutions and extension service significantly influence farmers' perception. In addition, television and radio were significant predictors of farmers’ perception. The study recommends intensification of climate education, mass awareness and capacity development programmes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844019367246Climate changeClimate policyEnvironmental analysisEnvironmental hazardSustainable developmentClimate data
spellingShingle Peter Asare-Nuamah
Ebo Botchway
Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
Heliyon
Climate change
Climate policy
Environmental analysis
Environmental hazard
Sustainable development
Climate data
title Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
title_full Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
title_fullStr Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
title_short Comparing smallholder farmers’ climate change perception with climate data: the case of Adansi North District of Ghana
title_sort comparing smallholder farmers climate change perception with climate data the case of adansi north district of ghana
topic Climate change
Climate policy
Environmental analysis
Environmental hazard
Sustainable development
Climate data
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844019367246
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