The Role of Local Institutions in Farmers’ Households’ Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability: A Case Study of Bongo District, Ghana

Abstract

Low rainfalls are already a challenge for crop production in Bongo district, UER, Ghana. But these last decades, the area experienced a decrease in rainfall, and an increase in temperature associated with frequent droughts and storms. These new changes, attributed to climate change leave severe negative impacts on farmers‘ households as they lead to crop failure and death of livestock. However, there are formal and informal institutions, including public, civic and private, intervening in various domains of rural life of farmers‘ households in the area. This study assessed the role of local institutions in farmers‘ households‘ adaptation to climate change and variability. Primary data were obtained through combination of household survey, key informant interview with local institutions, focus group discussions and role playing games in 12 communities in Bongo district while secondary data were gathered from published and non-published papers. Results showed that local institutions facilitate farmers‘ households‘ adaptation by mediating external interventions, by shaping risk and vulnerability associated with drought and by offering them a framework of adaptation options through their supports. However, this study revealed that local institutions are more involved in knowledge and on farm management while farm financial management, investment in infrastructure and diversification (on farm and off farm) are less addressed. Therefore, building local institutions capacity in enabling diversification, farm financial management and investment in infrastructure could amplify their role in enhancing farmers‘ households‘ adaptation to future changes in the climate.