Climate Smart Agriculture Adoption By Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study Of Anafobiisi And Gowrie-Kunkua Communities In The Bongo District Of Ghana

ABSTRACT

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) has been proposed as the best way forward for agriculture in the face of climate change. This study was conducted to survey the types of CSA practices in Anafobiisi and Gowrie-Kunkua communities in the Bongo district of the Upper East Region of Ghana, and also to investigate the role of local institutions in facilitating the adoption of such practices and the impacts on livelihoods. Results of the study indicated that commonly adopted CSA practices included intercropping (100%) residue management (98%), improved forages (97%), composting (96%), crop rotation (96%), improved crop varieties (81%), planting on contours or ridges (76%), stone or grass bunds (69%), household and or community tree planting (64%), minimal tillage (44%), improved livestock breeding (16%), mulching (15%), irrigation (18%), manure management (2%) and rain water harvesting(2%). Major factors influencing the adoption of CSA included household head type, household size, awareness, income, and nature of the land. Financial constraints, water shortages, small land space, and insufficient information were the main reasons for the non-adoption of CSA practices. Survey results from institutional interviews indicated that institutions working within the district were effectively facilitating the adoption of CSA practices among smallholder farmers. An assessment of the impact of adoption of CSA practices on livelihoods showed that the adoption of some CSA practices has contributed to household food security, improved wellbeing and improved social inclusion among respondents. The study concluded that farmers in Anafobiisi and Gowrie-Kunkua are willing to adopt CSA practices, but will need additional support, knowledge and training to successfully adopt these practices.