Climate Variability and Farm-households in the Sudan Savannah Zone of Ghana

This thesis contributes to knowledge by providing a better understanding of the social-ecological factors underlying the exposure, vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and extremes. While there is research on the topic, there is little understanding about how these factors manifest in various livelihood contexts that are simultaneously experiencing increasing severity in climate variability and extreme events, particularly in rural areas that dominated by smallholder farmers. The Sudan Savannah Zone (SSZ) of Ghana, a zone that experiences and has rain-fed agriculture as the predominant livelihood source, presents an excellent lens through which this knowledge contribution can be explored. There is ample evidence suggesting that rural farm-households in the SSZ of the country, will continue to bear the brunt of climate-induced impacts, which may include devastated crop production and a major threat to natural resource-based livelihoods. In the face of these expected impacts, there is the need for in-depth understanding of climate-farm-household relationships in order to facilitate efficient and effective responses. This mixed method research project involved the geospatial analysis of the distribution of climate risks, indexing of exposure and vulnerability levels and the examination of climate risk coping and adaptation dynamics among smallholder farm-households. These activities were done using secondary spatial data and primary data from focus group discussions and surveys of farm-household heads. In all, 3 districts, 230 farm-household heads (for the survey) and 33 (for FGDs) were involved in the study. Study results show that although districts were in the same agroecological zone, there were significant spatial variations in terms of the distribution of climate risk. Out of the five biophysical factors used in the geospatial analysis, three factors significantly explained the spatial variance in risk levels (i.e. aridity, vegetation cover, and land use/cover). Similarly, the survey found that despite the high level of respondent awareness and perception of climate risks and livelihood threats, there were significant variations among farm-households depending on the district, the gender of household heads and the number of years engaged in farming. Interestingly, although all farm-households were in the category of moderate and high exposure to climate risks, female-headed households were relatively less exposed compared to male-headed households. However, disaggregation of the composite exposure index showed that under some of the risk factors, female-headed households were relatively more exposed than male-headed households. Results from the exposure analysis varied according to the specific climate risk factor and by the gender of the household head. Findings from the vulnerability assessment indicated that female-headed households were comparatively more likely to be highly susceptible to climate risks. The gendered asymmetry in farm-household vulnerability was found to be rooted in the inequalities in livelihood diversification opportunities, finance, human and natural capital base. Moreover, the significant variance across study districts affirms that vulnerability is contextual and heterogeneous in space, even at the local level. Results showed that the underlying determinants of the chosen adaptation strategies included: the gender of the household head; age; education; farming experience; access to credit; livelihood diversification; and land tenure. The findings further showed that barriers to climate adaptation in the study area are mainly related to issues such as: farm-household finance; lack of institutional support; cost of farm inputs, the socio-cultural structure which defines relationships in these communities, and physical infrastructure. This project finds there is significant relationship between the availability of, and accessibility to, sustainable livelihood assets and the extent to which a farm-household may or may not be exposed, vulnerable, and able to engage in adaptation. The study, therefore, demonstrates that having a comprehensive understanding of social-ecological system dynamics and how they determine climate exposure, vulnerability, and adaptation is fundamental to any planned or autonomous initiative that seeks to build system resilience.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 201

Co-designing inclusive landscape management plans to transform agrifood systems: a technical brief

Landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing pressure from both anthropogenic activities and climate change. The agrifood system struggles to utilize the landscape's potential. Misconceptions in landscape management practices, such as neglecting socio-ecological and participatory concepts, hinder sustainable development. Socio-ecological landscape management, which integrates social and ecological systems and promotes collaboration among stakeholders, innovation, resilience to risks, resource sustainability, and community satisfaction, is gaining acceptance. This technical note is to describe adaptive, inclusive landscape management plans that are sensitive to both ecological and health metrics and could be incorporated into governmental frameworks. The design process is iterative with 6 steps, incorporating the perspectives of local stakeholders, governance bodies, researchers, and local experts. The pathway culminates in a comprehensive Inclusive Landscape Management Plan (ILMP) that is both actionable and reflective of community needs

INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Summary The concept of integrated water resources management (WRM) is currently high on the international policy making agenda and has gained momentum as an approach important from both economic and environmental viewpoints. This article looks critically at the broad approach to women adopted in the WRM policy and then examines, using a gender perspective, two key areas of the policy agenda: pricing and environmental protection and conservation. Although the approach has potential for increased responsiveness of WRM to the interests of women, it is argued that to the extent that gender analysis is limited, these potentialities may be lost. Given the likely influence of the policy, it is crucial at this stage to ensure that a gender analysis of the conceptual, methodological and empirical dimensions of WRM informs the frameworks and practices currently being developed and authenticated under the ‘new consensus’. RESUME La gestion intégrée des resources en eau: une perspective basée dans le genre Le concept WRM de la gestion intégrée des ressources en eau occupe actuellement une place avancée à l'ordre du jour de la politique internationale; qui plus est, l'importance de ce concept s'accroît non seulement en termes économiques mais aussi, du point de vue de l'environnement. Les auteurs de l'article offrent un aperçu critique de l'approche générale adoptée dans la politique WRM au niveau des femmes; puis, à partir de la perspective du genre, l'article examine deux aspects clef du programme politique: la détermination des prix, et la protection/conservation de l'environnement. Bien que l'approche offre plus de potentiel au niveau de l'accroisement et de l'amélioration du concept WRM en ce qui concerne les intérêts des femmes, il est par contre proposé que (dans la mesure où l'analyse par le genre est peu développée dans ce concept), ces potentialités manquent de se concrétiser. Si l'on tient compte des éventuelles influences de cette politique de gestion intégrée, il est essentiel de veiller à ce stade à ce que l'analyse par le genre des dimensions conceptuelles, méthodologiques et empiriques du concept de la gestion intégrée des ressources en eau puisse informer les structures et les pratiques en voie d'élaboration et de valorisation dans le “nouveau concensus”. RESUMEN El manejo integrado de la provisión de agua: una perspectiva de género El concepto de un manejo integrado en la provisión de agua (WRM) va adquiriendo mucha importancia en la agenda de elaboración de políticas internacionales, y ha cobrado más impulso como enfoque importante desde puntos de vista tanto económicos como medio ambientales. Este artículo da una opinión crítica de la actitud hacia la mujer adoptada por las políticas de WRM, y también examina, desde una perspectiva de género, dos áreas clave de esta agenda: el precio de la protección ambiental y la conservación. Aunque el enfoque se presta para una mayor repuesta de WRM a los intereses de la mujer, mientras este análisis de género se mantenga limitado este potencial puede perderse. Tomando en cuenta la posible influencia de este enfoque, es esencial en la presente etapa asegurar que el análisis de género de las dimensiones conceptuales, metodológicas y empíricas de WRM informen exhaustivamente a los esquemas y prácticas de trabajo actualmente en proceso de desarrollo y autenticación bajo el ‘nuevo consenso’

Cost and benefit analysis of the adoption of soil and water conservation methods, Kenya

This paper assesses the net welfare associated with the adoption of Bench Terraces (BT), Contour Bunds (CB), and Napier Grass Strips (NGS) in the Saba Saba sub-catchment of the Upper Tana catchment in Kenya. An agro-economic survey and informal interviews were conducted in the Saba Saba sub-catchment to elicit farm level quantitative data for the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA). Financial functions in excel were used to analyze the on-site costs and benefits of adopting the identified SWC technologies on farms with crops such as maize, coffee, and tea. In this research CBA was used as a decision tool after the computation of all cost and benefits were valued in local currency to obtain the Net Present Value (NPV) or net welfare. The results show that investment in SWC measures may not be a feasible short-term option from farmers’ perspective. There is, therefore, a strong case for intervention, especially in the initial years where SWC adoption yields negative returns. Again the maintenance cost was higher for all SWC technologies. This could be attributed to poor construction techniques. Considering the sub-catchment’s erosion risk severity and slope stability, Bench Terrace was found to yield relatively higher on-site net welfare.Gerald Atampugr

Ecological modernization and water resource management: a critique of institutional transitions in Ghana

Published online: 05 Feb 2015Ghana is endowed with surface and ground water resources. These resources prior to the colonial era were managed by traditional societies through various conventional methods embedded in their cosmovision. However during the colonial and postcolonial regimes, in response to climate change, economic globalization, and population pressure, there has been a conscious shift from customary water management systems towards paradigms cast in the contemporary mould (legislation, policies, and institutions). These modern approaches have been shown over the years to be insufficient in ensuring water sustainability. This insufficiency manifests itself in the increasing water scarcity through anthropogenic-induced water resources degradation and severe climatic variability. Using content analysis, this paper reviews this transition, first to fully understand the intricacies of the evolution and second to draw lessons for better water resources management in Ghana. This paper contends that although Ghana’s water related institutions, laws, and policies are undergoing significant reforms, implementation and practice remains embedded in weak ecological modernization (EM). Institutionalizing a narrow conception of EM will only perpetuate ‘organized irresponsibility’ and permit the continued production of ecological problems, leaving open the question of whether modernization is compatible with ecological sustainability. Though customary water management approaches are not entirely devoid of limitations, simply branding them as obsolete may obviate an important vehicle for water sustainability. In the spirit paradigmatic complementarity, ecosystem-friendly indigenous approaches must be integrated with contemporary management systems for the long term goal of sustainability.Gerald Atampugre, De-Valera N. Y. M. Botchway, Kobina Esia-Donkoh, Stephen Kendi

Micro-level dynamics of climate risks adaptation in a semi-arid agroecology

This chapter contributes to knowledge by providing a better understanding of how social-ecological factors influence the dynamics of adaptation to climate risks at the micro-level. The Sudan Savannah Zone of Ghana presents an excellent lens through which these dynamics are explored. Using mixed methods, the chapter examined adaptation dynamics among 230 farm-households. The majority of farm-households adopted a mix of off-farm adaptation strategies related to short-term coping measures and livelihood diversification activities, with a few engaged in on-farm crop management. The results also emphasized the importance of in-depth understanding of the determinants of farmers’ adaptation strategy preferences to initiatives that aim at reducing adaptation deficits and maladaptation. It is argued that to erode the barriers that inhibit sustained adaptation, initiatives should be (re)directed to create an enabling platform for: the reduction of gendered asymmetry in access to land; enhanced livelihood diversification opportunities; increased access to quality extension services; and improved access to agriculture-related credits.Gerald Atampugre, Melissa Nursey-Bray, and Dianne Rud

Developing water resources decision support system to strengthen landscape resilience planning and investment in West and Central Africa: a scoping and needs assessment report

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) conducted a virtual scoping and need assessment workshop to develop a water resources decision support system (DSS) to strengthen landscape resilience planning and investment in West and Central Africa. The workshop, which took place on May 8, 2023, involved 51 participants from the public sector, private companies, research, and civil society organizations, as well as academia of six countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda. The objective was to explore the current data gaps, information, and knowledge products in water DSS, where IWMI could provide support on appropriate science-based decision-support systems for water resources management, with a particular emphasis on strengthening landscape resilience planning and investment in the respective countries within the TAFS-WCA initiative. Most participants from six countries expressed interest in AWARE, a flood forecasting tool of IWMI, which facilitates coordination across sectors to trigger actions ahead of extreme climate events. Stakeholder mapping, end-user participation, comprehensive needs assessments, expert maintenance, and knowledge-sharing forums were identified as crucial for successful DSS implementation as part of reflection in the meeting

Towards a framework for assessing the sustainability of social-ecological landscapes

The report proposes a framework for assessing the sustainability of social-ecological landscapes (SEL) to be used by the West and Central African Food Systems Transformation (TAFS-WCA) initiative for research, planning, and implementation of its Work Package 3 (WP3). It builds on existing assessment frameworks from relevant fields (e.g., Eco agriculture, Agroecology, Integrated Landscape Management, etc.). At the center of a Sustainable Social-Ecological Landscape (SSEL) is the improvement of the management of land and the natural resource base in such a way that land use concurrently meets three goals: (i) provision of products (e.g., food) and services on a sustainable basis, (ii) support for sustainable livelihoods for all social groups and (iii) conservation of the full complement of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Globally, SSEL related approaches like eco-agriculture, agroecology, and landscape approaches are already being applied, with promising results, especially in places where food production, poverty alleviation, and conservation of biodiversity, water, and ecosystem services are all high priorities. However, a comprehensive framework for measuring/monitoring landscape status and performance vis-a-vis competing landscape uses and management interventions has not been given much priority in the literature. Different forms of land use, such as forestry, agriculture, extraction of minerals, conservation/protected areas, and settlements, are interdependent. Therefore, landscape performance and monitoring frameworks that focus exclusively on protecting natural resources or the intensification of agriculture and other land uses can only give an incomplete viewpoint/overview of landscapes with all their uses and stakeholders. Considering the SSEL goals above, a holistic conceptual framework for landscape-based assessment is needed; such a framework must consider the drivers and effects of land use and the individual management interventions as well as the complex interactions among different land uses and interventions across the landscape. The present study proposes the Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework for SEL. It is important to emphasize that this study recognizes that different individuals and organizations under the TAFS-WCA initiative may have different interests in understanding the status and performance of selected SELs. The research envisages two important applications of a framework for measuring and understanding SEL: i) it can facilitate inclusive decision-making by multiple stakeholders working in the same landscape by explaining interactions, synergies, and trade-offs among SSEL goals and landscape components, and ii) when SSEL-related management innovations are successful (or otherwise), the framework can help document the same, reinforcing the case for adopting and scaling up innovations