Constraints on farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate variability and change

ABSTRACT This paper explores the constraints on the adaptive capacity of crop farmers in two districts in different agroecological zones – Atwima Mponua (Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone) and Ejura-Sekyeredumase (Transition Zone) of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A comparative-case mixed-methods research design was adopted using household survey questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews with key informants. The study involved 150 farming households from each district. The study found that farmers’ adaptive capacity to either plan or implement adaptive strategies has not always been successful due to lack of resources among other things. Constraints mentioned by farmers include lack of infrastructure, and secured land rights while the local institutions mentioned inadequate financial resources and poor technological capacity. Robust policy formulation and implementation aimed at equipping farmers with resources and strengthening institutional capacities is necessary to enhance the adaptive capacity of crop farmers to climate variability and change impacts.