Abstract:
Rain-fed agriculture, which is the backbone of most sub-Saharan economies is seriously under threat due to climate
change. Consequently, for farmers to sustain their livelihoods and increase productivity, there is the need for them
to be aware of climate change and how they can sustainably respond to it. This study focused on farmers’ awareness
of climate change and their response to its effect in the North Bank Region of The Gambia. Data for the study was
collected from 258 farmer household heads selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and 9 focus group
discussions. Descriptive statistics and climate change awareness index (CCAI) were used to analyze the data
obtained from the households. The findings revealed that majority (80.6%) of the farmers were aware of climate
change with an average awareness index of 0.586 (58.6%). Also, an overwhelming majority of 93.41% of the
farmers used crop diversifications, drought resistant cultivars, early maturing varieties among others as response
strategy to climate change. The study concludes that farmers in the study area are fairly aware of climate change.
Farmers are recommended to form farmer associations to enable easy access to more climate change education/
training from Donor and Government agencies to improve their climate change knowledge and enhance their
adaptive capacity.
