Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation and Food Security in Africa: The Cases of Ghana and The Gambia

2011

English

Reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that agricultural yields will suffer negative consequences of climate change if no serious intervention is carried out (IPCC, 2007). Studies have shown that Ghana's climatic conditions have changed in the past four decades (Agyeman-Bonsu et. al, 2008). In The Gambia, the Government (2003) used forty years (1951- 1990). It is projected that by 2075, average mean temperature of The Gambia will increase by a margin of between 3°C to 4.5°C depending on the model used. On the impact of such change on food availability, The Government of Gambia (2003) predicts that all crop growth parameters (kg dm/ha) for the maize crop would undergo significant reductions under climate change. The main objective of the study is to support the ATPS Agricultural Innovations Programme on Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation and Food Security in Africa by achieving the following specific objectives: Identify and document indigenous innovations and good practices by climate change vulnerable communities for improved food security in Ghana and The Gambia; provide information on agricultural practices and activities of farmers towards food security and climate change adaptation in Ghana and Gambia; identify and document emerging innovations suitable for climate change adaptation in Ghana and The Gambia; promote some selected agricultural innovations through targeted training and field demonstrations with selected agriculture extension officers and farmers in Ghana and The Gambia; establish collaborative network involving researchers, ministry of food and agriculture or its equivalent and farmers to enhance agricultural innovations for increased productivity in the face of climate change; and to provide baseline information to support agricultural innovation programmes and the implementation of the NEPAD CAADEP programme in the West Africa region through popularization and policy advocacy.

Akon-Yamga, G.; Boadu, P.; Obiri, B. D.; Amoako, J.; Mboob, F. J.