Abstract
The forest-savannah transition zone in mid-Ghana is considered the breadbasket of the country. The negative impacts of climate change manifesting as early termination of rainfall and changing bimodal rainfall regime has a disproportional effect on smallholder farming in the transitional zone. It is emerging that a greater percentage of farmlands are being transformed from food crop production into cashew (Anacardium occidentale) plantations as a response to the negative impacts of climate change. This chapter investigates the implication of the transformation for food security and smallholder farmer’s livelihoods. Data were collected through household surveys and focus group discussions among smallholder farmers, and stakeholder interviews. Findings showed that though the farmers acknowledged that systemic transformation from food crop system, mainly maize and yam, to cashew plantation is an adaptive strategy to observed changes in rainfall and temperature, the major drivers were economic gains and land security. However, the conversion has imminent threat to food security as occasional low prices put immense stress on household incomes.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Handbook of Climate Change Management |
Subtitle of host publication | Research, Leadership, Transformation |
Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
Pages | 251-263 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Volume | 1 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783030572815 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783030572808 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2021 |
Keywords
- Agricultural tenancies
- Climate change resilience
- Environmental conservation
- Food and income security
- Social well-being
- Women empowerment