Browsing by Author "Antwi- Agyei Philip"

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    Adaptation opportunities and maladaptive outcomes in climate vulnerability hotspots of northern Ghana
    (Science Direct, 2018) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Dougill J. Andrew; Stringer C. Lindsay; Cudjoe Ardey Nii Samuel; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    How climate change adaptation practices can constrain development and deliver maladaptive outcomes in vulnerability hotspots is yet to be explored in-depth using case study analyses. This paper explores the effects of climate change coping and adaptation responses in three case study villages across the Central Gonja district of northern Ghana. The study addresses the following research questions: i) What are the key climatic and non-climatic stressors confronting households in northern Ghanaian communities? ii) How are households adapting to climatic and nonclimatic stressors? and iii) What are the outcomes of these coping and adaptation responses on development? The study employs a mixed-method approach including key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household questionnaire surveys. Data identified socioeconomic stressors including a lack of access to (and high cost of) farm inputs, labour shortages and population growth. Climatic stressors include erratic rainfall, high temperature, droughts and floods. Climatic and non-climatic stressors interact to affect agricultural practices and related livelihoods. The study identified various adaptation measures including extensification and intensification of agriculture, temporary migration, planting of drought resistant varieties, irrigation, and livelihood diversification. We show that many coping measures (e.g. livelihood diversifications activities such as selling of firewood and charcoal production) and adaptation responses (including intensification, extensification and irrigation) currently deliver maladaptive outcomes, resulting in lock-ins that could exacerbate future climate vulnerabilities. The paper contributes to the growing literature on adaptation and climate risk management by providing empirical evidence showing how coping and adaptations measures can deliver maladaptive outcomes in vulnerable communities.
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    Alignment between nationally determined contributions and the sustainable development goals for West Africa
    (TANDFONLINE.COM, 2018) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Dougill J. Andrew; Agyekum P. Thomas; Stringer C. Lindsay; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2015 Paris Agreement are two of the most important policy frameworks of the twenty-first century. However, the alignment of national commitments linked to them has not yet been analysed for West African states. Such analyses are vital to avoid perverse outcomes if states assess targets and develop SDG implementation plans, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, without integrated planning and cross-sectoral alignment. This article provides a situation analysis guided by the following questions: (a) Which priority sectors are mentioned in relation to adaptation and mitigation in West African NDCs? (b) Are the NDCs of West African states well aligned with the SDGs? (c) What are the co-benefits of NDCs in contributing towards the SDGs? and (d) How are West African states planning to finance actions in their NDCs? The study uses iterative content analysis to explore key themes for adaptation and mitigation within NDCs of 11 West African states and their alignment to selected SDGs. A national multi-stakeholder workshop was held in Ghana to examine the co-benefits of the NDCs in contributing towards the SDGs and their implementation challenges. Results show that agriculture and energy are priority sectors where NDCs have pledged significant commitments. The analysis displays good alignment between mitigation and adaptation actions proposed in NDCs and the SDGs. These represent opportunities that can be harnessed through integration into national sectorial policies. However, cross sectorial discussions in Ghana identify significant challenges relating to institutional capacity, a lack of coordination among institutions and agencies, and insufficient resources in moving towards integrated implementation of national planning priorities to address successfully both NDC priorities and the SDGs.
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    Assessing crop–livestock water productivity in mixed-farming systems across climatic zones of Burkina Faso
    (IWA PUBLISHING, 2023) Sanou Lamoussa Charles; Agodzob Kwaku Sampson; Bessahb Enoch; Antwi- Agyei Philip; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Climate change adversely impacts food and feed production, depletes water, and increases the vulnerability of the people living within arid and semi-arid areas. The current study aims to assess crop–livestock water productivity within such drought-recurrent or water-stressed regions. This was done through secondary data collection and interviews from 589 households across the Sudan, Sudan–Sahel, and Sahel climatic zones of Burkina Faso. The findings confirm that the feeding strategies of livestock were based essentially on natural pasture, crop residues, and agricultural by-products. Moreover, crop–livestock total water productivity (TWP) was found generally higher in the Sudan zone (0.29+0.02 $US/m3) characterized by more favorable climatic conditions than the Sudan–Sahel and Sahel regions that experienced a similar TWP (0.21+0.01 $US/m3). The research gives insight into the valuation of virtual water contained in livestock feeds. Improving the accessibility in quantity and quality of such feeds through informed policy actions could enhance returns on transpired water. Additionally, other water harvesting and conservation methods are also essential to sustain more productive crop–livestock systems within water-stressed regions like Burkina Faso.
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    Barriers to climate change adaptation: evidence from northeast Ghana in the context of a systematic literature review
    (Tandfonline.com, 2014-09-22) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Dougill J. Andrew; Stringer C. Lindsay; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    International studies (Boko et al., 2007; Lobell, Bänziger, Magorokosho, & Vivek, 2011) suggest that Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change and variability. This vulnerability has been attributed to the continent’s high poverty levels, low adaptive capacity, its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, as well as its limited economic and institutional capacity (Boko et al., 2007). Research suggests that food production and related livelihoods will be disproportionately affected by climate change and variability in sub- Saharan Africa (hereafter, ‘SSA’) (Schlenker & Lobell, 2010). Climate change has even been described as a new security threat for Africa (Brown, Hammill, & Mcleman, 2007). Climatic projections suggest that prolonged and more intense droughts are likely to cause SSA to become drier (Boko et al., 2007; Christensen et al., 2007). Increasing mean annual temperatures will increase evapotranspiration losses resulting in a reduction in soil moisture content. Boko et al. (2007) project that climate change will reduce net crop revenues by 90%by 2100.
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    Building climate resilience through crop residue utilization: Experiences of Ghanaian smallholder farmers
    (wileyonlinelibrary.com, 2023) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Aidoo Atta Jonathan; Guodaar Lawrence; Dougill Andrew; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Amajor limiting factor affecting the uptake of conservation agriculture practices in smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa is the limited availability of sufficient crop residues for use as surface mulch. This paper assesses the trade-offs in crop residue utilization among smallholder farmers and its implications for soil management in the face of climate change risks in northern Ghana. The paper triangulated data from 350 household surveys with participatory key informant interviews fromseven selected communities in three districts of northern Ghana. The problem confrontation index (PCI) was adopted to identify and rank the challenges associated with farmers’ decision to use crop residues, while a multivariate probit model was used to analyse and predict the factors that influence farmers’ choice of crop residue management practices. Results showed that crop residues were used as cooking fuel in households (21%), livestock feed (21%), left on the farm to decompose as mulch (34%) or burned to clear the land (24%). Key challenges identified included high labour cost (PCI = 404), high labour intensity (PCI = 388), the cost and transport for collection and storage of externally sourced crop residue (PCI = 383) and the low benefit from crop residue to farm output/soil fertility (PCI = 339). Results from the multivariate probit model revealed that household and farm variables, institutional and socio-psychological factors, and experience of some climate shocks all influence farmers’ choice of crop residue management practices.Crop residue use and management practices adopted were determined by factors including the crops being grown, challenges faced by farmers and the management options available. The study recommends the need for the Government of Ghana to empower farmers through the provision of technical knowledge and machinery for the sustainable utilization of crop residues due to the high labour intensity and cost associated with such practices.
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    Climate Variability, Land Cover Changes and Livelihoods of Communities on the Fringes of Bobiri Forest Reserve, Ghana
    (eprints.com, 2020) Ata -Baffour Frank; Antwi- Agyei Philip; Nkiaka Elias; 0000-0002-8599-474X
    Climate variability coupled with land use and land cover changes have resulted in significant changes in forest reserves in Ghana with major implications for rural livelihoods. Understanding the link between climate variability, land use and land cover changes and rural livelihoods is key for decision-making, especially regarding sustainable management of forest resources, monitoring of ecosystems and related livelihoods. The study determined the extent to which climate variability drives land cover changes in the Bobiri forest reserve, Ghana. Landsat images from 1986, 2003, 2010 and 2014 were used to evaluate land cover changes of the Bobiri forest reserve in Ghana. Participatory research approaches including household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted in four fringe communities of the Bobiri forest reserve. Findings showed that local people perceived changes in rainfall and temperature patterns over the past years. Historical rainfall and temperature data for the study area showed increased variability in rainfall and an increasing temperature trend, which are consistent with the perception of the study respondents. Analysis of land cover satellite images showed that there has been significant transformation of closed forest to open forest and non-forest land cover types over the 28-year period (1986–2014), with an overall kappa statistic of 0.77. Between 2003 and 2014, closed forest decreased by 15.6% but settlement/bare ground and crop land increased marginally by 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed that increased land cover changes in the Bobiri forest reserve could partly be attributed to erratic rainfall patterns. Other factors such as logging and population growth were reported to be factors driving land cover changes. The study concluded that the Bobiri forest reserve has witnessed significant land cover changes and recommended that alternative livelihood sources should be provided to reduce the direct dependency of fringe communities on the forest for livelihood and firewood.
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    Economic value and latent demand for agricultural drought forecast: Emerging market for weather and climate information in Central-Southern Nigeria
    (ELSEVIER, 2023) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Awolala David; Mutemi Joseph; Adefisan Elijah; Taylor Andrea; Muita Richard; Bosire Emily; Mutai Bethwel; Nkiaka Elias; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Provision of weather and climate services are expected to improve the capacity for rural households’ preparedness and response plans to weather shocks. With increase in public investments in developing and communicating weather information on local scale in Nigeria, uncertainty in timescales that meet farmers’ needs and economic value of the information is still poorly understood. It is now a policy concern on whether farmers’ preferences and demands might increase its uptake. This study analyzed the economic value, latent demand, and emerging market of weather and climate information in Central-Southern Nigeria. Farm-level crosssectional data reveals that 76% of the respondents were willing to pay for improved weather information and early warnings in taking climate smart decisions. Within farmers who showed positive responses, 86% would pay for sub-seasonal to seasonal weather information while 38% would pay for medium and short range weather information respectively. The economic value of sub-seasonal to seasonal weather information was estimated at N1600 ($3.60) per year per capita with total aggregated value of N1.3 billion ($2.9 m) yearly for the derived savannah area. Predictive total market value of N17.43billion ($39 m) would be obtained from improved weather information in Nigeria. Simulated results of 5% increase in the uptake with better dissemination channel through mobile phones in addition to robust farmers’ oriented features will generate additional annual market value at N86m ($193,360) for service providers. Large farm size, good farm-income, mobile phone dissemination channels, and location-specific information were drivers of farmers’ uptake decisions of weather information in the dry savannah area. The huge emerging market for improved weather information should be developed into a public–private market to efficiently facilitate uptake and use in Nigeria.
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    Effect of climate variability on yields of selected staple food crops in northern Ghana
    (ELSEVIER.COM, 2021) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Ata -Baffour Frank; Nkiaka Elias N; Dougill J Andrew; . Anning K Alexander; Kwakye Oppong Stephen; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Agriculture in Ghana is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate variability. This poses a challenge to food security across the country. Despite this vulnerability, limited research has been conducted to understand the effect of climate variability on the yields of staple food crops in Ghana. This study assessed the effect of climate variability on the yields of selected staple food crops (millet, sorghum, rice, groundnut and maize). The study used the Mann-Kendall trend test and multiple regression analysis to assess how climate variability (in annual rainfall, onset, cessation, number of dry days and temperature) has affected the yields of selected food crops in five districts in northern Ghana (Bole, Nanton, Tolon, Kassena Nankana East and Wa) over a 21-year period (1995–2016). Results suggested a marginal decrease in annual rainfall (p > 0.05) and a significant increase in temperature (p < 0.05) over the period of study in the districts. Variability in the onset, cessation, length of rainy days and number of dry days was statistically significant from year to year, and also across the districts (p < 0.05). Results indicated substantial variability in the yields of the selected staple food crops. Temperature, number of dry days, onset, annual rainfall and cessation explained about 43%, 32%, 30%, 25% and 14%, respectively of the variations in the yields of groundnut, sorghum, millet, maize and rice. Our results generally suggest that the changing climate substantially affects food production in the study districts, highlighting the need for adaptations including the use of agricultural diversification and the greater use of drought tolerant varieties of these staple crops, as well as the continuing investment in crop breeding programmes to enhance drought tolerance.
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    Effectiveness of planning and implementation stages of the ISO 14001 standards EMS at the Obuasi gold mine, Ghana
    (Academic Journals, 2010) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Foli Gordon; Hogarh N. Jonathan; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    This paper evaluated the effectiveness of the planning and implementation stages of the ISO 14001 Standards Environmental Management System (EMS) at the Obuasi gold mine in Ghana. The purpose was to identify growth factors, challenges and opportunities for improving process efficiencies through ISO 14001 Standards EMS implementation. A modified ISO 14031 Standards criterion for performance evaluation at the Plan-Do stages was adopted. In all, planning and implementation at eighteen business units were evaluated over a two-year period. Nine out of ten systems procedures evaluated scored above certification audit pass mark of 90%. Environmental Aspect and Impact Identification, and Competence training improved in performance over the study period by average values of 151% and 104%, respectively, while significance rating and environmental observations respectively dropped by 12% and 64%. Environmental training and awareness creation, good aspect and significance rating schemes, establishment of performance reward system for meeting environmental objectives, among others, could serve as key factors that can sustain the ISO 14001 standards EMS. Notable challenges of the EMS were: lack of guide tools, apathetic attitudes, group certification concept, cost constrains, legacy issues and complexity of company’s operations.
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    Evidence of Climate Change Coping and Adaptation Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana
    (mdpi.com, 2021) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Frimpong Nyantakyi Hanson; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Evidence on how coping practices for immediate climate variations can transform into long-term adaptive capacity are relatively limited. This study addressed this gap by identifying the coping practices for short-term climate variations and the adaptation measures used by smallholder farmers to address future climate change in northeast Ghana. The paper used a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data were collected from 555 households located in six communities across three districts in northeast Ghana. Results indicated that smallholder farmers were employing a host of practices to address the threats posed by climate change. Key adaptation practices included the planting of drought-tolerant crop varieties, the use of indigenous knowledge, intensification of irrigation, migration, adjusting the planting calendar, crop diversification, mixed farming, and sustainable land management practices. On the contrary, short-term coping practices reported by the study participants included the sale of non-farm assets, complementing agriculture with non-farm jobs, selling livestock, engaging in wage labor, charcoal burning and reliance on social networks. The results further revealed that barriers to climate change adaptation and coping practices differed by gender. The paper recommends that capacities of smallholder farmers in vulnerability hotspots should be enhanced to address immediate climate variations, as well as future climate changes. Ghana’s climate change and agricultural policies should prioritize adaptations by smallholder farmers in addressing threats posed by climate change.
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    Exploring the Need for Developing Impact-Based Forecasting in West Africa
    (original research, 2020) Nkiaka Elias; Taylor Andrea; Dougill J Andrew; Antwi- Agyei Philip; Adefisa Adesanya Elijah; Ahiataku A Maureen; Ata -Baffour Frank; Fournier Nicholas; Indasi S Victor; Konte Oumar; Lawal Abiodun Kamoru; Toure Awa; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    While conventional weather forecasts focus on meteorological thresholds for extreme events, Impact-Based Forecasts (IBF) integrate information about the potential severity of weather impacts with their likelihood of occurrence. As IBF provides an indication of local risk, there is an increasing uptake of this approach globally. Despite the vulnerability ofWest Africa to severe weather, and the potential benefits of such a risk-based approach for informing disaster risk reduction, IBF remains rarely used in this region. To meet this need, three national workshops were held in Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal with forecasters, project researchers and users of Climate Information Services (CIS) from key sectors (e.g., agriculture, water resources, disaster, risk reduction). In addition, a more localized district level workshop was held in Northern Ghana to explore needs at a subnational scale in Tamale District. The objectives of these workshops were to evaluate the current use of forecast products provided by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and to explore the potential for applying IBF. Findings indicate a recognition that the quality of forecast products provided by NMHSs in West Africa has substantially improved in recent years. However, challenges remain related to user understanding, clarity about forecast uncertainty, insufficient spatial and temporal resolution of forecasts leading to limited trust in forecasts. The workshops identified high demand for weather information related to storms, droughts and heatwaves in all the three countries. Dust storms were identified as having strong potential for IBF application in both Nigeria and Senegal. To increase the uptake of CIS by users in West Africa, NMHSs will need to develop and implement user-tailored IBF in their normal weather forecast approaches and improve communication channels with user communities. There is an urgent need for governments in West Africa to enhance the capacity of NMHSs to incorporate IBF as a routine forecast activity by first establishing a National Framework for Climate Services with user engagement as a key first pillar.
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    Farmers response to climate variability and change in rainfed farming systems: Insight from lived experiences of farmers
    (Heliyon, 2023) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Yeleliere Enoch; Guodaar Lawrence; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Climate adaptation, while urgent, is complicated by a slew of unknowns and uncertainties through insufficient scholarship. This study addresses these slews of unknowns surrounding local adaptation to climate change and associated determinants among rainfed smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. We utilized a mixed-method approach to collect primary data from 410 households, 15 key informants and 10 focus group participants coupled with meteorological data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Accra (GMet). Results from meteorological analysis from 1989 to 2020 and farmers’ perceptions showed a consistent pattern exemplifying a temperature rise, and a decline in rainfall pattern in the study area over the period. Rainfed smallholder farmers employed multiple coping strategies including—cognitive restructuring, resource seeking, experiential avoidance, expressive coping, capital disinvestment and relying on social networks to deal with current and future climate shocks. Also, key adaptation interventions implemented by rainfed smallholder farmers based on lived experiences include farm and crop management, soil and water conservation, conservation agricultural practices, smart-farming practices and cropping decisions, livelihood diversification and indigenous knowledge application. Market access, access to climate information/services, access to extension services, use of indigenous knowledge and practice, risk perception, and government support, livestock ownership, asset ownership, credit access, and farm insurance significantly increase rainfed smallholder farmers’ decision to cope/adapt to climate variability in rural Ghana. However, improved soil fertility and farm labour significantly influenced rainfed smallholder farmers’ adaptation response but not coping. The findings have implications for developing effective adaptation interventions to build resilient agricultural systems and sustainable livelihood in rainfed farming areas.
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    Gendered perceptions and adaptation practices of smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability in the Central Region of Ghana
    (ELSEVIER.COM, 2021) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Jamal Mohammed Alawi; Ata -Baffour Frank; Nkiaka Elias; Antwi Kwabena; Gbordzor Antoinette; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Understanding gendered adaptation practices among smallholder cocoa farmers is crucial to ensuring sustainable cocoa production in Ghana. This study examined the gendered perceptions and adaptation practices of small- holder cocoa farmers to climate variability in three selected communities (Breman Ayipey, Breman Baako and Breman Kuntanase) in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region, Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach including household surveys and focus group discussions with 10 participants in each community. Mann-Kendall trend test was used to determine the rainfall and temperature changes in the study district from 2000 to 2015. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between male and female farmers’ perceptions of climate variability ( p > 0.05). Both male and female farmers perceived an increasing temperature, rainfall, windstorms and flooding for the past 15 years. The Mann-Kendall trend test showed that annual rainfall and temperature had increased over the study period although the trends were not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Both male and female farmers had resorted to the use of different adaptation practices to reduce the threats of climate variability. There was a substantial difference between adaptation practices used by male and female farmers such as changing planting dates, use of drought tolerant hybrids, shade management, livestock rearing and income from sale of properties ( p < 0.05). The study recommends policy formulations that incorporate gender perspectives into climate change adaptation practices among smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana.
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    Subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies alleviating food insecurity in the context of climate change in the lower river region of the Gambia
    (SPRINGER, 2020) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Sonko Ebrima; Florkowski J. Wojciech; Agodzo Sampson; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Knowledge of strategies to improve farm household resilience to food insecurity and counter adverse weather events and poor resource endowment is a pre-requisite for implementing solutions fitting local conditions. This paper examines subsistence farmer knowledge of strategies to cope with food insecurity and progressive climate change in the Lower River Region of The Gambia. The study applies survey data collected from the predominantly agricultural, poorly urbanized region in 2017 with regard to knowledge of eleven strategies, nine strategies directly related to farm practices and two related strategies associated with insufficient food crop production. Farmer strategy knowledge is estimated using the logit technique and identified farmer, farm household, farm practice, and environmental characteristics and factors significantly influencing such knowledge. The calculation of probability changes quantified the effect associated with a particular factor on knowing a strategy. Formal education, secondary household activities, gender, government support, farm size, and income influence the knowledge of selected strategies. Additionally, knowledge of some strategies is also associated with certain practices, e.g., planting trees. Insights gained from the study into the factors driving illiterate, ultra-poor farmer knowledge of available strategies are of use for multiple stakeholders helping to channel their efforts to reduce food insecurity in the studied region, The Gambia, other regions, which share similar socioeconomic and environmental conditions.
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    The Effect of Climate Variability on Maize Production in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana
    (mdpi.com, 2021) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Cudjoe P Godwin; Gyampoh A. Benjamin; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    Agriculture is one of the sectors most susceptible to changes in climatic conditions. The impact is even stronger in Africa, where rain-fed agriculture is vital for daily subsistence, but where adaptive capacity is low. It is therefore crucial to increase the understanding of the actual climate change dynamics on agricultural productivity. This study examined the effects of changes in climatic variables such as rainfall and temperature on maize production in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana. Regression, chi-square and trend analyses were used to establish the relationship between climate variables (rainfall and temperature) and maize yield in the study area. This was supplemented with participatory household interviews with 120 farmers to understand the perception of farmers on rainfall and temperature patterns. The results from the study respondents and trend analysis show that rainfall is shorter in terms of duration and less predictable, whilst temperature has increased. The findings suggest that the general relationship between rainfall, temperature and maize yield is such that maize yield increased with increasing rainfall of the right amount and distribution pattern and decreased with increasing temperature. The study concludes that climate variability and/or change is evident in the study area and its effect on maize yield is severe
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    Typologies and drivers of the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices by smallholder farmers in rural Ghana
    (ELSEVIER.COM, 2023) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Kofi Amanor; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    This study examined the factors that determine the adoption of CSA practices in dryland farming systems. The study answers the following questions: (i) what are the typologies of CSA practices available to smallholder farmers in rural Ghana?, (ii) what is the adoption rate of CSA practices among smallholder farmers? and, (iii) what are the socioeconomic predictors of the adoption of CSA practices in rural Ghana? This paper employed mixed-method participatory approaches including surveys of 1061 households, and 15 key informant interviews supplemented with 2 regional stakeholder workshops. The study used a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to examine the climate smart agriculture typologies adopted among the smallholder farmers. To investigate the drivers of adoption, the multinomial ordered probit model was applied. The PCA results suggested that, there were seven (7) uncorrelated dimensions involving 23 CSA practices that were generally employed – water smart practices, energy smart practices, nutrient smart practices, carbon smart practices, weather smart practices, planting smart practices, and knowledge smart practices. These 7 typologies explained 63.91% of the total variance. The PCA results indicated that smallholder farmers do not necessarily rely on a single CSA practice to cope with climate change; but utilise a combination of practices. The results of the ordered probit model suggested that the factors driving the adoption of CSA practices are mixed nuanced on the adoption typology and farmers' location and institutional factors. The paper contributes to an understanding of the different typologies for CSA practices and highlights the various socioeconomic factors driving the adoption rates of CSA practices by smallholders' farmers. This
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    Typologies and drivers of the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices by smallholder farmers in rural Ghana
    (ELSEVIER, 2023) Antwi- Agyei Philip; Amanor Kofi; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8599-474X
    This study examined the factors that determine the adoption of CSA practices in dryland farming systems. The study answers the following questions: (i) what are the typologies of CSA practices available to smallholder farmers in rural Ghana?, (ii) what is the adoption rate of CSA practices among smallholder farmers? and, (iii) what are the socioeconomic predictors of the adoption of CSA practices in rural Ghana? This paper employed mixed-method participatory approaches including surveys of 1061 households, and 15 key informant interviews supplemented with 2 regional stakeholder workshops. The study used a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to examine the climate smart agriculture typologies adopted among the smallholder farmers. To investigate the drivers of adoption, the multinomial ordered probit model was applied. The PCA results suggested that, there were seven (7) uncorrelated dimensions involving 23 CSA practices that were generally employed – water smart practices, energy smart practices, nutrient smart practices, carbon smart practices, weather smart practices, planting smart practices, and knowledge smart practices. These 7 typologies explained 63.91% of the total variance. The PCA results indicated that smallholder farmers do not necessarily rely on a single CSA practice to cope with climate change; but utilise a combination of practices. The results of the ordered probit model suggested that the factors driving the adoption of CSA practices are mixed nuanced on the adoption typology and farmers' location and institutional factors. The paper contributes to an understanding of the different typologies for CSA practices and highlights the various socioeconomic factors driving the adoption rates of CSA practices by smallholders' farmers. This is crucial for the upscale of CSA practices in the face of climate change in Ghana and West Africa more widely.
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    Why “formal” climate adaptation strategies fail in sub-Saharan Africa: Ignoring adapters’ agency in the case of smallholding agriculture farming practices in Bono East Region of Ghana
    (RMets, 2022) Quarshie Tetteh Philip; Abdul-Abdulai Rahim; Abdulai Abdulai; Antwi- Agyei Philip; Fraser D. G. Evan; 0000-0002-8599-474X
    This paper reviewed a body of literature on climate adaptation options in sub- Saharan Africa’s (SSA) smallholding agriculture and complemented it with a case study involving experts interviews, focus group discussions, large-scale household surveys, and farmer practices observation while drawing insight from the concept of “everyday adaptation and interrupted agency” and agency theory to assess farmer perceived limitations with climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate-wise food systems (CWFS) practices for climate adaptation in the SSA. The study noted that the narrow focus on CSA and/or CWFS as a silver bullet for climate change adaptation suitable for smallholding agriculture ignores food producers’ agency to undermine sustainable and inclusive adaptation solutions. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ everyday climate adaptation practices could be grouped into three categories; on-farm adaptation, off-farm adaptation, and Indigenous agroecological adaptation options. The on-farm adaptation options are usually agriculture intensification and extensification. The off-farm adaptation options include livelihood diversification activities, petty trading, seasonal labor jobs, and migration. The Indigenous agroecological adaptation strategy uses observing nature and weather elements to predict the onset of This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the