Abstract

This study assessed rice farmers’ perception of climate change and adaptation strategies in the Ketu North District, Volta Region of Ghana. Climate variables particularly precipitation and temperature were taken in the climate change perception study. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 340 rice farmers from six farming sections, and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. Data collected from the rice farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Results of the study showed that majority of the rice farmers’ perceived decreasing precipitation and increasing temperature as a major climate variable affecting their agricultural practices. Farmers’ level of adaptation was found with majority of them using irrigation, changing crops, changing planting dates and planting short season varieties. Findings of the study also indicate that the major barriers to climate change adaptation by rice farmers are lack of information about climate change, lack of credits and poor soil fertility. Binary logistic regression analysis found household size, education level, farming experience and financial support as significant predictors. The study concludes that rice farmers in the district perceived changes in climate and employ adaptation strategies to mitigate its effects.

Key words: Binary logistic regression, climate change, socio economics, agriculture.