6–7 AUGUST 2014
UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIESTAMALE, GHANA

Conference Program and Abstracts

International Conference on

Enhancing Resilience to
Climate and Ecosystem Changes
in Semi-Arid Africa

Adaptation strategies for mitigating
impacts of climate and ecosystemchanges on developing societies

International
Conference on
Enhancing
Resilience to
Climate andEcosystem
Changesin Semi-Arid Africa

BACKGROUND
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate
and ecosystem changes on developing societies
Coping with global climate and ecosystem changes requires
developing countries with weak socioeconomic and resource
management regimes to devise adaptation strategies. The project “Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes
in Semi-Arid Africa: an Integrated Approach” aims to develop
integrated strategies to build a management base that is resilient to the changes and maintains certain socioeconomic andresource levels. Based on the research on climate change events,
ecosystems, and governance in the underveloped, semi-arid
northern Ghana, the project suggests that effective adaptation
strategies involve addressing the issues of rural development aswell as floods and droughts risk management along flat plains
and the Black Volta River. These should in turn, alleviate theeconomic disparity between the north and the rapidly growing
southern Ghana.
The project investigates climate and ecosystem changes on
major crops through field survey and modelling, assesses
impacts of the changes on agriculture and rural development
and local capacity to cope with flooding and droughts. The
research process further leads to development of integrated
strategies that enhance resilience of farming communities innorthern Ghana to climate and ecosystem changes and eminent
disasters. These strategies will eventually crystallalize into the“Ghana Model”, which will be applicable to semi-arid regions
across Africa.

Contents
02
About the CECAR Africa project

Abstracts

15

Sessions breakdown

Session A: Implication of Climate and Ecosystem
Changes on Agricultural Production (I)0329

Program

Session B: Risk Assessment ofExtreme Weather Events

05
Wednesday 6th August 201407
Thursday 7th August 2014

12
Profile of keynote speakers

37
Session C: Coping and Adaptation Strategies;
Knowledge Innovation

47
Session D: Natural Resource Management
and Interventions

57
Session E: Implication of Climate and Ecosystem
Changes on Agricultural Production (II)73
Session F: Capacity Assessment
and Resilience Enhancement

83
Poster presentation

ABOUT

ABOUT
THE
CECAR
AFRICAPROJECTT

he “Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa: An Integrated
Approach (CECAR-Africa)” is a project focused on
climate and ecosystem change adaptation and resilience research. The project investigates climate and ecosystemchanges on major crops through field survey and modelling,assesses impacts of the changes on agriculture and rural development and local capacity to cope with flooding and droughts.
The research process further leads to development of integrated
strategies that enhance resilience of farming communities innorthern Ghana to climate and ecosystem changes and eminent
disasters. These strategies will eventually crystallize into the“Ghana Model”, which will be applicable to semi-arid regions
across Africa. This model will be further discussed in a wider
international development and environmental policy arena tocontribute to global sustainable development.
The study is ongoing in ten purposely selected rural communities
in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana. The particular interest in these areas for this research stems from theircommon ecological setting and socio-economic activities, anddifferences in exposure to incidence of floods and droughts aswell as evidence of high vulnerability to climatic and ecosystemchanges. The project was initiated in 2009, and receives financial
support from the Science and Technology Research Partnershipfor Sustainable Development (SATREPS), which is a collaborative
programme of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). As
an international project, CECAR-Africa involves seven leading
adaptation and resilience research institutions and agencies
in Ghana and Japan. The partnering institutions include The
University of Tokyo, United Nations University Institute for the
Advanced Study of Sustainability, Kyoto University, University
for Development Studies, University of Ghana, Ghana Meteorological Agency and the United Nations University-Institute for
Natural Resources in Africa. The project also actively collaborates
with national, regional and local level governance agencies anddepartments to undertake its research activities.

Theme 1
Forecast and assessment of climate change impact onagroecosystem(Agroecosystem Resilience)
Theme 2
Risk assessment of extreme weather hazards
and development of adaptive resource management
methods(Engineering Resilience)
Theme 3
Implementing capacity development programs for local
communities and professionals(Social Institutions · Technical Capacity Development)
2International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

PROGRAM | SESSIONS BREAKDOWNSESSIONS BREAKDOWNPROGRAM

Wednesday 6th August 2014DAY1

7:30 – 8:45

Registration

9:00 – 10:00

Conference Opening and Plenary Session
Welcome Address:
Prof. Haruna Yakubu
Vice-Chancellor, University for Development Studies, Ghana
Project Leaders Address:
Prof. Edwin A. Gyasi
Professor of Geography, Department of Geography and Resource Development,
University of Ghana, Legon
Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Senior Vice Rector, United Nations University, Tokyo, JapanJICA Representative
Short Cultural Dance

10:00 – 10:30

Keynote 1:
Dr. Joseph Fening
Director of Soil Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana

10:30 – 11:00

Keynote 2:
Dr. GJK Owusu
Chairman, Ghana REDD Committee

11:00 – 11:30

Keynote 3:
Prof. Wisdom Apkalu
Associate Professor of Economics, UNU-WIDER, University of Ghana Office, Legon, Accra.

12:00 – 13:30

Lunch / Poster Presentation (#1-6)

13:30 – 17:30

Parallel Sessions A & B
Session A: Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)Session B: Risk Assessment of Extreme Weather Events

18:00 – 19:30

Conference Reception

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

3

SESSIONS BREAKDOWN | PROGRAM

Thursday 7th August 2014

DAY 2

DAY

2

8:00 – 12:00

Parallel Sessions C & D
Session C: Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation
Session D: Natural Resource Management and Interventions

12:00 – 13:30

Lunch / Poster Presentation (#7-12)

13:30 – 17:00

Parallel Sessions E & F
Session E: Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)Session F: Capacity Assessment and Resilience Enhancement

17:00 – 17:30

Closing Session

18:00 – 19:30

Working Dinner

4

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Wednesday 6th August 2014 | SESSIONS BREAKDOWN

P6
p. 90
Residents’ perception and adaptation/coping
strategies to climate-related disasters in
Bankpama, Wa west district, Ghana

Wednesday
6th August
2014

Fredrick Dayour, Godfred S. Jasaw, Yaw A. Boafo
University for Development Studies, Wa Campus

ORAL PRESENTATIONSPOSTER PRESENTATIONS
13:00–13:30

13:30–17:30
Poster Session 1

P1
p. 84
Urban and peri-urban agriculture and its
implications on agroecosystem resilience, foodand nutrition security
Takemore Chagomoka, Johannes Schlesinger, Axel Drescher
University of Freiburg, Germany

P2
p. 84
Local knowledge and the causes of climatechange: local perspectives and the policy
implications for building community
resilience in North-Western Ghana
Dramani File, Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile
University for Development Studies, Wa Campus

P3
p. 85
Variability in rainfall characteristics in thesemi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
Samuel Mesele, Quansah, C
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

P4
p. 88
Comparative analysis on livelihood
approaches, resilience and transformability inagro-ecosystems in West Africa
Prince Amadichukwu
Our Soil Africa Foundation, Nigeria

P5
p. 88
Communities vulnerability and resilience toclimate shocks in the Niger basin of Benin
Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon
WASCAL, Dakar

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Parallel Sessions A & B

Session A:
Implication of Climate and Ecosystem
Changes on Agricultural Production (I)
A1
p. 16
The socioeconomic impacts of climate changeon the livelihood and adaptation strategies ofsmallholder farmers in the Upper White Volta
Basin of Ghana
J. Amikuzuno, I. Hathie, S. G. Adiku, D. S. MacCarthy
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

A2
p. 16
Assessing the impacts of climate shocks on theperformance of farm activities and adaptation
policy responses
Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon, Kimseyinga Savadogo
Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

A3
p. 18
Sensitivity of cereals production insmallholder farmers’ fields to climate change;
the case of Upper White Volta Basin of Ghana
D.S. MacCarthy, S.G.K. Adiku, B. S. Freduah, E. Koomson,
J. Amikuzuno
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra

A4
p. 19
Effects of climate change on tree species
population and dispersion pattern withinhousehold farmlands and open parklands in
the Talensi area of northern Ghana
Chimsah F. A, Dittoh S., Dzomeku I. K
University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus, Ghana

5

SESSIONS BREAKDOWN | Wednesday 6th August 2014

A5
p. 21
Towards sustainable land and biodiversity
management in traditional society of savannah
ecological zone

A10
p. 27
The effects of climate variability on agricultural
productivity in Ghana

Antwi Effah Kwabena, John Boakye-Danquah,
Ruby Mensah, Osamu Saito, George Owusu
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Samuel A. Donkoh, William Adzawla,
Gideon Danso-Abbeam, Victor Lolig, Geetha Mohan,& Hirotaka Matsuda
University for Development Studies

A6
p. 22
Reducing woody species composition of
riparian forests in farmlands in the moist
savannas of Ghana: implication on managing
risks to climate change impacts

Session B:
Risk Assessment of Extreme Weather
EventsEmmanuel A. Boakye, Dibi N’da Hyppolite, Victor R Barnes,
Stefan Porembski, Michael Thiel, François N. Kouamé,
Daouda Kone
Working Group on Forest Certification, Ghana

A7
p. 24
Bushfires and agroecosystems change
in northern Ghana: insights from rural
households in the Wa West District, Upper
West region
Yaw A. Boafo, Godfred Jasaw, Osamu Saito,
J.Boakye-Danquah, Kazuhiko Takeuchi
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS) Tokyo, Japan

A8
p. 26
Using participatory scenario exploration
exercise to examine agricultural land-use/coverchange options in semi-arid Ghana
Biola K. Badmos, Grace B. Villamor, Sampson K. Agodzo,
Samuel N. Odai, Samuel S. Guug
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi, Ghana

B1
p. 30
Expert-based assessment of driving forces ofland use change and landscape services in theUpper East region, Ghana
Janina Kleemann, Dr. Christine Fürst, Gülendam Baysal,
Hongmi Koo, Justice Nana Inkoom
Center for Development Research (ZEF), Germany

B2
p. 30
Variation analysis of rainfall and temperature
in northern savannahs of Ghana
Abagale, F. K., Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Shaibu, A-G.
Gandaa, B. Z.
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

B3
p. 32
Comparison of GSMaP mvk data with surface
data at semi-arid regions in Africa
Hirohiko Ishikawa, Weiqiang MA, Ayilari-Naa A. Juati,
Samuel O. Ansah
Kyoto University, Japan

A9
p. 27
Measuring the economic impact of climatechange on plantation agriculture in Nigerian:a Ricardian approach

B4
p. 32
Modeling flood hazard zones at sub-districtlevel with the rational model integrated with
GIS and Remote Sensing approaches

Fonta M. William, Elias T. Ayuk, Safiétou Sanfo
WASCAL Competence Center, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Asare-Kyei, D.K
United Nations University, Institute for Environment andHuman Security (UNU-EHS), Bonn, Germany

6

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Thursday 7th August 2014 | SESSIONS BREAKDOWN

B5
p. 33
Validating GSMAP satellite rainfall data within situ data to facilitate the improvementof algorithms for rainfall estimation using
satellite imagery for Ghana.
Hirohiko Ishikawa, Ayilari-Naa Juati, Kobayashie Kenichiro,
Samuel O Ansah, Peter Nunepkepku,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
Kyoto University, Japan

Thursday7th August
2014

B6
p. 33
Numerical weather prediction trial: theweather research and forecasting (WRF) model

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Hirohiko Ishikawa, Ayilari-Naa Juati, Samuel O. Ansah,Peter Nunepkepku, Kenichiro Kobayashi,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
Kyoto University, Japan

Session C:
Coping and Adaptation Strategies;
Knowledge Innovation

B7
Analysis of climate extremes in northern
Ghana

C1
p. 38
An assessment of rainfall variability underrain fed agriculture: perspectives fromlocal knowledge systems and planning forcommunity resilience in north-western Ghanap. 34

Ayilari-Naa Juati, Hirohiko Ishikawa, Charles Yorke,
Samuel O. Ansah, Peter Nunepkepku,
Kenichiro Kobayashie, Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA

Parallel Sessions C & D

Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, Dramani File
University for Development Studies

B8
p. 34
Development of a Volta-river catchment flood
model
Kenichiro Kobayashi, Akihiko Kotera, Keisuke Kimura,
Taku Notoya, Tomoki Kiriyama, Masanori Inoue,
Nobuhiko Sawai, Hirohiko Ishikawa, Ayilari-Naa Juati,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
Kobe University, Kobe, Japan

B9
p. 35
Estimation of the amount of surface runoff
contributed from Sissily-Kulpawn catchment
within Ghana-Burkina Faso border using
Curve Number (CN) method
Gandaa Z. B, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

B10
Rainfall changes in the savannah zone ofnorthern Ghana 1961–2010

8:00-12:00

p. 35

C2
p. 38
Role of agricultural land use and farmmanagement practices for food security andclimate change adaptation in semi-arid regionof Ghana
Antwi Effah Kwabena, John Boakye-Danquah,
Kwabena Awere-Gyekye, Owusu Barima,
Gerald A. B. Yiran, Kofi Abekoe
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan

C3
p. 39
Community boundary and asset mapping:strategy for effective resource management incontext of climate change adaptation
Antwi Effah Kwabenaa, John Boakye-Danquah,
Gerald A. B. Yiran, Sosthenes Kufobge, Owusu Barima
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Kwadwo Owusu
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

7

SESSIONS BREAKDOWN | Thursday 7th August 2014

C4
p. 39
Vulnerability of settled Fulani pastoralists toclimate change and emerging innovations foradaptation in southwest Nigeria
Fabusoro, E., Sodiya, C. I., Fasona, M., Oyedepo, J.,
Fapojuwo, E. O., Alarima, C. I.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

C5
p. 40
Estimating surface water runoff using Curve
Number (CN) method and its effect on crop
cultivation in the Bontanse basin
Gandaa Z. B., G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Shaibu A-G
University for Development Studies, Tamale

C6
p. 41
Micro-level farmers’ adaptation strategies
to climate change in the semi-arid tropics in
Tolon district, Ghana
Geetha Mohan, Hirotaka Matsuda, Samuel A. Donkoh,
Adelina Mensah, Victor Lolig
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan

C7
p. 41
Ecosystem services assessment using a
stakeholder-based approach: cases of
Bolgatanga and Bongo districts in the Upper
East region, Ghana
Hongmi Koo, Christine Fürst
Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn,
GermanyC8
p. 42
Farmer innovation and household resilience toclimate shocks: insights from north-east Ghana
Justice A. Tambo, Tobias Wünscher
Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn,
Germany

C9
p. 44
Towards climate change adaptation
modeling: lessons from farmer responses toenvironmental changes in Ghana
Edwin A. Gyasi, Kwabena Awere Gyekye
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

8

C10
p. 44
Use of organic waste in urban horticulture- innovations and opportunities to increase
agricultural resilience in Tamale metropolis,
Ghana
Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G., Gandaa, B.Z
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

Session D:
Natural Resource Management andInterventions
D1 (Presentation Cancelled)
p. 48
Transnational climate change resiliencestrategies for the sustainable landscapemanagement in the Blue Nile river basins:
linking climate knowledge from semi-arid of
East Africa
Carlos. Pascual, B. Zaitchik, B. Semane
Future University, Khartoum, Sudan

D2
p. 49
Women-farmers’ perceptions and adaptations
to climate change and variability in thetransitional zone of Ghana: the case of
Atuahenekrom in Sunyani Municipality
Faustina Essandoh-Yeddu
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

D3
p. 49
Green farming practice for climate change
mitigation and adaptation: experience withusual practice and vetiver technology
Effiom Oku
United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources inAfrica (UNU-INRA), Accra, Ghana

D4
p. 51
Non-timber forest products, climate change
resilience and rural poverty alleviation innorthern Ghana
Issaka Balma Yakubu
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Thursday 7th August 2014 | SESSIONS BREAKDOWN

D5
p. 52
Jatropha production in Malawi andMozambique: delineating ecosystem services
and human wellbeing trade-offs
Alexandros Gasparatos, Graham von Maltitz
The University of Tokyo, Japan

D6
p. 53
Changing diet to cope with climate change:
exploring innovative pathways for developing
ready-to-eat millet products throughintegrated millet development initiative
Niagia F. Santuah, Dennis Chirawurah, George A. Agulijam
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

D7
p. 53
The role and nature of trust in risk
communication: insights from climate-induced
risks prone rural communities in Wa West
district, Ghana.
Subhajyoti Samaddar, Muneta Yokomatsu,
Martin Oteng-Ababio, Frederick Dayour, Togbiga Dzivenu,
Hirohiko Ishikawa
Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan

D8
p. 54
Material flow analysis for Shea butter
production systems and ecologicalsustainability in Ghana: an exploratory study

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
13:00–13:30

Poster Session 2

P7
p. 92
Collective action and farmers’ private
adaptation to climate change: evidence fromthe savanna region in Togo
Mikemina PILO, Tobias Wünscher
Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar,Senegal

P8
p. 92
Evaluating the impact of cereal banking onfood security and resilience building of rural
households in the Gambia
Raymond Jatta
Université Cheikh Anta Diop/Senegal, WASCAL

P9
p. 93
Soil properties of six communities in thenorthern region of Ghana as affected by crop
species and location.
Vincent K. Avornyo, Osamu Ito
University for Development Studies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Tamale- Ghana

P10
p. 93
Application of DPSIR framework to extreme
climatic effects in Northern Ghana

Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Osamu Saito, Kazuhiko Takeuchi
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, JapanK. O. Asubonteng, S.K. Loh
United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources inAfricaD9 (Presentation Cancelled)
p. 54
Investigating the sensitivity of household
food security to agriculture-related shocks
and the implication of informal social capitaland natural resource capital: the case of rural
households in Mpumalanga, South Africa

P11
Estimation of USLE’s C-Factor using
vegetation indices (VIs) for soil erosion
modeling in Lake Bosumtwi

Byela Tibesigwa, Martine Visser, Wayne Twine
University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

D10
p. 55
Adaptive co-management of forest resources:a case of Takamaru-Yama Sennen-no Mori,
Tokushima, Japan
Sadahisa Kato, Naoki Iiyama, Noriko Minamoto,
Mahito Kamada
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, Japan
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

p. 94

S.K. Loh, K. O. Asubonteng
CECAR – AFRICA-Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)P12
p. 94
Assessment of spatio-temporal patterns ofterrestrial ecosystem to climate variations
using satellite data in Ghana
Ram Avtar, Osamu Saito, Hideki Kobayashi,
Srikantha Herath, Kazuhiko Takeuchi
United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies in
Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

9

SESSIONS BREAKDOWN | Thursday 7th August 2014

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
13:30–17:00

Parallel Sessions E & F

Session E:
Implication of Climate and Ecosystem
Changes on Agricultural Production (II)
E1
p. 58
Integrated assessment of vulnerability of rural
households to climate stress across regional
levels in Niger
Elhadji Iro Illa
Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

E2
p. 59
Gender and adoption of cowpea innovation in
the context of climate change in Benin
Gilbert O Adjimoti, Sounkoura Adetonah
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

E3
p. 59
Response of maize to climate adaptation
strategies in the Sudan savanna of West Africa
Isaac Danso, Thomas Gaiser, Heidi Webber, Frank Ewert
Jesse B. Naab
University of Bonn, Institute of Crop Science and Resource
Conservation, Germany

E4
p. 60
Trends in NDVI and relationship with rainfall,
population density and land use land coverchange over the Bani river basin (West Africa)
Souleymane Traore
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi, Ghana

E5
p. 60
Impact of flood on the livelihood of farmers insemi-arid zone of Benin Republic

E6
Rice farmers’ vulnerability to climatic
variability: quantitative evidence foradaptation resource allocation from Ekiti
State, Nigeria

p. 62

Awolala David Olufemi
Universite Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

E7
p. 65
Indigenous coping agricultural strategies
of farmers to mitigate climate variability on
farming in the Bawku West district of theUpper East region of Ghana
Apuswin Mercy Abarike, Richard W.N. Yeboah,
Israel K. Dzomeku
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

E8
Reducing greenhouse gas emission fromruminants through the use of indigenousbrowse plants

p. 66

Ansah T., Wilkinson R.G., Huntington J., Dei H.K
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

E9
p. 68
Evaluating yield response of paddy rice toirrigation with application of the aquacrop
model in northern region of Ghana
S. Ganiyu, N.Kye-Baffour, W. Agyare
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

E10
p. 70
Farmers’ livelihoods and welfare impacts in
Wa West district, Upper West region of Ghana
Samuel A. Donkoh, William Adzawla, Isaac Gershon,
Victor Lolig, Francis Obeng, Yasuko Kusakari,
Godfred Jasaw Kwabena Asubonteng, Frederick Dayour,Togbiga Dzivenu, Bizoola Gandaa,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
University for Development Studies (UDS) Nyankpala campus,
Northern Region, Ghana

Alice Bonou, Tobias Wuenscher, Adama Diaw
University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal

10International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Thursday 7th August 2014 | SESSIONS BREAKDOWN

Session F:
Capacity Assessment and Resilience
Enhancement

F6
p. 79
Capacity assessment framework, processes
and indicators: lessons from a sustainable
rural livelihoods project in northern Ghana

F1
p. 74
Studies of resilience efforts by farmers innorthern Ghana: indigenous tillage practices
used to reduce to the effect of rainfall andtemperature variation

Yasuko Kusakari, Hirotaka Matsuda, Kazuhiko Takeuchi
The University of Tokyo, Japan

Gandaa Z. B, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

F2
p. 74
Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR)
strategies in school curricula in Ghana: an
exploratory study
Priscilla Toloo Apronti, Osamu Saito, John Boakye Danquah,
Yaw Agyeman Boafo
United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability, Tokyo, Japan

F3
p. 76
Assessment of capacity building initiatives
towards enhancing resilience to climate change
in Ghana: the role of University education
Isaac Agyapong
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

F4
p. 77
Capacity development approaches for
improved resilience in rural communities: key
lessons from Tolon district of northern Ghana
Romanus Ziem, Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Yasuko Kusakari,
Victor Lolig, Yaw Agyeman Boafo, Osamu Saito,
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale-Ghana

F7
p. 80
An assessment of the knowledge, attitudes
and practices among organizations on climatechange in Tolon and Wa West districts,
northern Ghana
Victor Lolig, Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Francis Obeng,
Samuel Donkoh
University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale-Ghana

F8
Agronomic and marketing innovation
enhances vegetable farmers’ resiliencep. 80

Eileen Bogweh Nchanji, Imogen Bellwood-Howard
Göttiingen University, UrbanFoodPlus, Germany

F9
p. 81
Determinants of climate change adaptation
strategies by smallholder farmers in east
Mamprusi district of northern region, Ghana
Francis K. Obeng, Robert Awassena
University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale-Ghana

F10
Disability, climate change and humansecurity. Policy implications for Ghanap. 81

Simon Kwabena Dankyi
Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany

F5
p. 77
Enhancing sustainable development for ruralcommunities in semi-arid regions of Ghana– evidence from Baleufili in Wa West District
Mujeeb Rahaman Adams, Godfred Seidu Jasaw
Centre for Society and Climate Change Affairs (CSCCA), Wa,
UWR, Ghana

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

11

PROF. HARUNA YAKUBU
Prof. Haruna Yakubu was born on October 24, 1955, in Tamale, the capital townof the Northern Region of Ghana. He
attended Jijiadeyiri Primary School in
Wa, Aningazanga Experimental Primary
School in Bolgatanga and Kalpohin Middle School in Tamale before proceeding
to T. I. Ahmadiyya Secondary Schoolin Kumasi for his secondary educationin 1968. He went on scholarship to
Kishinev State University, Kishinev inthe former Soviet Union where he graduated with an M.Sc degree in Physics andMathematics in 1984. After returning
to Ghana to lecture at the Universityof Cape Coast for four (4) years, he entered Moldova State University again in
Kishinev, from where he obtained his
Ph.D in Semiconductor Physics in 1992.
He returned to the University of Cape
Coast as a lecturer and by dint of hardof semiconductor materials and solar
modules under Standard Test Conditions(STC) and real operating conditions.
He is a member of many national
and international associations including
the International Solar Energy Society,Centre for Renewable Studies, Ghana
Science Association and the Ghana Physical Society. Prof. has had many honours
and awards to his credit and these include: Chairman of Governing Councilof Centre for Renewable Energy Studies(CRES), Ghana; Executive Member of the
Ghana Solar Energy Society; Memberof Governing Council of Foundationfor Security and Development of Africa(FOSDA), Ghana; Founding Memberof the Energy Research Group, Ghana;and Senior Associate of International
Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP),
Trieste, Italy.
Prof. Yakubu speaks many international languages; English, Russian,

Educated and trained as a geographer
and landscape ecologist at the Universityof Tokyo, he engages in research and education on creating eco-friendly environments for a harmonious coexistence ofpeople and nature, especially focusing on
Asia and Africa. He leads the Satoyama
Initiative as well as climate/ecosystemchange research in Asia and Africa.
His recent publications include Satoyama-Traditional Rural Landscape of Japan(co-edited, Springer, 2003), Rebuilding
the relationship between people andnature: The Satoyama Initiative (EcologicalResearch, 25, 891-897, 2010), Sustainability: Engaging in global change thoroughharmonious adaptation in Asia (co-authored, Nova Acta Leopoldina, NF112,
Nr. 384, 213-226, 2010), Sustainability
Science: A Multidisciplinary Approach(co-edited, United Nations University,2011), and Satoyama-Satoumi Ecosystems
and Human Well-Being: Socio-Ecological

PROFILE OF KEY
work rose through the ranks steadily
until his present appointment.
At the University of Cape Coast,
Prof. Yakubu was actively involved in
the administration of the University
and occupied various positions including Head of the Department of Physics,
Head of the Department of Optometry,
Chairman of the ICT Committee andDean of Students. He was also a memberof the UCC Council for three (3) years
before becoming the Pro-Vice-Chancellorof the University for four (4) years. He
has been lecturing for 26 years.
Between 1997 and 1999, Prof. Yakubu worked as a Research Fellow at the
Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy and Environment-ENEA(Department of Energy-Portici) where
he researched extensively into solar
cell fabrication techniques and alternative sources of energy. Particularly, heworked on the optical characterization

12

Hausa and others. His research interestarea is on Energy studies: renewable andalternative sources of energy; solar cellfabrication, installation and sizing ofphotovoltaic systems; optical studies andcharacterisation of photovoltaic modules/
devices and standards in PV systems.

PROF. KAZUHIKO TAKEUCHI
Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi is Senior
Vice-Rector of United Nations University, Director and Professor of theIntegrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) at the Universityof Tokyo. He has served, inter alia, as achairman of the Central Environment
Council, and a vice-chairman of theFood, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies
Council, Government of Japan, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Sustainability
Science (Springer).

Production Landscapes of Japan (co-edited, United Nations University, 2012).

PROF. EDWIN AKONNO GYASIProf. Edwin Akonno Gyasi holds the BA,
MS and PhD degrees in Geography, withspecialization in economic geography
and agricultural land use. He has had adistinguished academic career largelyin the University of Ghana. He retired
from that University as a full Professor
over 10 years ago, but was re-engaged
on a post-retirement contract basis.
Professor Gyasi was a Visiting Fellow at:
University of Brighton, UK; University ofCanterbury, New Zealand; Columbia University, New York. He chairs the Councilof the Presbyterian University College in
Ghana, and the Board of the Ghana Meteorological Agency. He serves on various
other national and international bodies

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

including the Nomination Committee,
Darrell Posey Fellowship for Ethnocology
and Traditional Resource Rights, Editorial
Board, Journal of Mountain Science, and the
Editorial Advisory Board, Sustainability
Science of the United Nations University(UNU). Professor Gyasi is a member of
the Steering Committee, United Nations
University Project, Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (UNU-ESDA), a
co-ordinator of the Sustainable Integrated
Rural Development in Africa (SIRDA) programme component of that Project, anda Director of the UNU Project, Enhancing
Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes
in Semi-Arid Africa (CECAR): An Integrated
Approach. He served as Chairman, Management Board of the Volta Basin Research Project (VBRP), University of Ghana, and as the Officer-in-Charge, United
Nations University Institute for Natural
Resource in Africa ((UNU-INRA). He wasco-ordinator and lead author of the Gha-published widely and carried out many
consultancy works. He is married, andhas four children.

DR. JOSEPH FENING
Dr. J O Fening is a Chief Research Scientist and Director of the CSIR-Soil ResearchInstitute, Kumasi. He holds a PhD degreein Soil Science with specialization in Soil
Microbiology. Dr. Fening has accumulated
over 20 years of research, experience insoil biology and biochemistry. His research interest and activities are wide,
but his current interests are particularlyin the fields of Climate Change, BiologicalNitrogen Fixation (BNF), Biotechnology,
Integrated Nutrient Management, Organic matter and the use of Biofertilizers insustainable agriculture.
Dr. Fening has also been a part timelecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah Univer-

Faculty) of Renewable Natural Resources, Kumasi, Ghana. He has done several
consultancy works in the areas of forest
policy and legislation.
He is a forester, educated at the
University of Edinburgh, Scotland, andthe Commonwealth Forestry Institute,
University of Oxford, a Fellow and first
President of the Ghana Institute ofForesters. He has served for a term as
a Member of the Board of the Ghana
Forestry Commission and a member of
the National Energy Board. His researchinterests have been in Forestry Policy
and Legislation.

PROF. WISDOM AKPALU
Prof. Wisdom Akpalu is a Research
Fellow with UNU-WIDER and currently
collaborating with the University of Ghana on a PhD program in Development

NOTE SPEAKERS
naian component of the International Assessment on Climate Change and Peri-urban/
Urban Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa
carried out under the START Secretariat,
the National Focal Person for the IPGRI
project, Community-based Managementof On-Farm Plant Genetic Resources in
Arid and Semi-Arid Areas in Sub-SaharanAfrica. He led and co-ordinated the West
African component of the UNU research
project, People, Land Management andEnvironmental Change (PLEC), and was
the National Programme Co-coordinatorof the follow-on GEF-funded project, Sustainable Land Management for Mitigating
Land Degradation, Enhancing Agricultural
Biodiversity and Reducing Poverty (SLaM)
in Ghana. His Research centres on natural
resources management with emphasis
upon: environmental change; participatory methodologies; locally adapted
agricultural land use practices in rural andperi-urban contexts. Professor Gyasi has

sity of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
Crop Science Department since 2000,
teaching at both the undergraduate
and post graduate levels. His research
activities have led to the publication ofover 60 articles in international scientific journals, books and conference proceedings. He has also managed several
international funded research projects
and has substantial experience in institutional management. Dr. Fening belongs
to several professional bodies such as
the UNU College of Research Associateand AABNF. He is a consultant to theUNDP, FAO, and serve on several boards
including the National Fertilizer Council.

MR. GJK OWUSU

Economics. Prior to joining WIDER he
was Associate Professor of Economics
at State University of New York (SUNY)- Farmingdale, and the Chair of the
Economics Department. His researchinterest is within the field of natural
resource management in developing
countries, and economics of crime andpunishment. He has published over twodozen journal articles, written books
chapters, and several peer reviewed
working papers and discussion papers.
He is an active reviewer of over twodozen journals in economics. He is currently a resource person for CEEPA anda guest resource person at the AERC. He
has consulted for a number of reputableorganizations including the ILO, AfDB,
and The World Bank.

Currently Co-Chair of Ghana’s National
REDD + Working Group, Mr. Owusu is
a former Director of the Institute (nowAdaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

13

Wednesday 6th August 2014
13:30 – 17:30

ABSTRACTS

SESSIONA1 » 10A

Implication of Climate andEcosystem Changes on
Agricultural Production (I)The socioeconomic impacts of climate change on the livelihood and adaptation strategies ofsmallholder farmers in the Upper White Volta Basin of Ghana
16
Assessing the impacts of climate shocks on the performance of farm activities and adaptation
policy responses
16
Sensitivity of cereals production in smallholder farmers’ fields to climate change; the caseof Upper White Volta Basin of Ghana18
Effects of climate change on tree species population and dispersion pattern within household
farmlands and open parklands in the Talensi area of northern Ghana19
Towards sustainable land and biodiversity management in traditional society of savannah
ecological zone
21
Reducing woody species composition of riparian forests in farmlands in the moist savannasof Ghana: implication on managing risks to climate change impacts
22
Bushfires and agroecosystems change in northern Ghana: insights from rural households inthe Wa West District, Upper West region
24
Using participatory scenario exploration exercise to examine agricultural land-use/coverchange options in semi arid Ghana26
Measuring the economic impact of climate change on plantation agriculture in Nigerian:a Ricardian approach 
27
The effects of climate variability on agricultural productivity in Ghana

27

ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)A1
The socioeconomic impactsof climate change on the
livelihood and adaptation
strategies of smallholder
farmers in the Upper White
Volta Basin of Ghana
J. Amikuzuno* , I. Hathie , S. G. Adiku ,D. S. Maccarthy3
1

2

change is not necessarily bad, but possibilities exist for farmers
to gain from the phenomenon given the right measures andincentives, and the adoption of climate-resilient strategies.
Key words: Adaptation, Climate change, Ghana, White Volta basin
1. Climate Change and Food Security Department, University for
Development Studies,Tamale, Ghana
2. Initiative prospective agricole et rurale (IPAR), Dakar, Senegal
3. Dept of Soil Science, and the Soil and Irrigation Research Centre,
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

A23

Assessing the impactsof climate shocks on theperformance of farm
activities and adaptation
policy responses*Corresponding Author: Senior Lecturer and Head, Departmentof Agricultural and Resource Economics, University for
Development Studies, Tamale – Ghana;
Email: amikj26@yahoo.com; Tel: 00233 244 818174

Abstract
Climate change and agriculture affect each other. Climatechange affects the agroecological and growing conditionsof crops and livestock. Conversely, agriculture engenders
climate change via its role in greenhouse gas emissions andcarbon sequestration. In Sub-Sahara Africa’s (SSA) rain-fed
agricultural systems, climate change impact on precipitationand temperature is the major cause of crop failure and low
yields; even though these are often attributed to small farmsizes; and low use of fertilizer, improved seeds and pesticides.
What however, is the empirical evidence of the socioeconomic
impacts of climate change on the livelihood and adaptation
strategies of SSA’s smallholder farmers? In this study, we use
the trade-offs analysis minimum data (TOA-MD) model toestimate climate change impacts and adaptation strategies of
300 farmers in the upper White Volta of Ghana. The analysis
encompasses three objectives: i) determining the sensitivityof current agricultural production systems to climate change
without adaptation; ii) estimating the impact of climate change
on future agricultural systems following the evolution of production systems with changes in the agricultural sector not
motivated by climate change; and iii) ascertaining the benefitsof climate change adaptation. We implement the TOA-MD
with simulated maize, millet and groundnut yield from the
APSIM and DSSAT models; for current (1980-2009) and future(2040-2069) climates, and under five climate scenarios. The
findings reveal varying levels of negative impacts of climatechange on farmers’ net per farm revenues, per capita incomesand poverty rates assuming climate change without adaptation.
When adaptation is accounted for, most farmers gain by asmuch as 76%, per capita incomes increase and poverty rates
decline. The benefits of adaptation thus prove that climate
16

Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon*1,
Kimseyinga Savadogo2
Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion, Université
Cheikh Anta Diop/Senegal, West African Science Service Centeron Climate Change and Adapted Land Use.
2
Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences Economiques etGestion, Université de Ouagadougou II.
Email : odilonboris@gmail.com
1

Introduction
Agriculture in Benin faces more risk and uncertainty due toclimate variability and change through its high dependence on
weather conditions. The first Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) is about eradicating extreme poverty and hunger andshould be attained by 2015, but the current situation suggeststhat it will be hard for Benin to achieve it. The situation is
becoming worse, due to climate shocks which are exacerbating
it. Thus, this research aims to assess the impacts of climate
shocks on farming and to simulate adaptation policy responses.
Materials and methods
Area of the study and data
The study focuses on farmers of the Niger basin that covers
37.74% of Benin. The basin is located in the extreme north ofthe country and more specifically between latitudes 11° and
12°30’ N and longitudes 2° and 3°20’40 E and has an area of​​43,313 km2. It covers five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) (whollyand partially) out of the eight of Benin.
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

The data comes from the household survey which was
implemented within the Niger basin of Benin in the 20122013 agricultural year on 545 farm households and fromliterature on the topic. Three-stage random sampling wasused: first, municipalities within each AEZ, second, villages
within selected municipalities and last, farm households within
selected villages. AEZ V was disregarded, because only one ofits municipalities is located within the basin.
Model
This study uses a recursive dynamic Mathematical Programming(bio-economic modeling) by relying on the Agricultural Household Model theory (AHM). The model is run for the planninghorizon of ten future years and market imperfections are included (labor and credit markets). Climate shocks are incorporated
through the probabilities of occurrence of the states of nature
relative to the rainfall conditions: good, normal, bad, disastrous
due to floods, and disastrous due to droughts. The objective of
the farmers is to maximize the discounted expected cash income
from cropping, livestock, and the off-farm activities. Risk istaken into account by Telser’s Safety First method (Telser 1955).
Results and discussion
Farmers produced mainly during the rainy season. 94.5%,
56.9%, 47.7%, 41.3%, 40.7%, 33%, 31.4%, 31.2% and 19.1% ofthem produced maize, millet, yam, sorghum, cotton, bean, soya
bean, rice and cassava respectively. In terms of irrigated crops
during the dry season, the major produces were rice (2.8%),
onion (1.8%), pepper (1.3%), tomato (0.6%) and okra (0.2%).
43.3%, 55.6%, 42.8%, 65.1% and 4.2% of the households owned
cattle, goat, sheep, poultry, and other animals respectively. As
how climatic shocks affect farmers depends on their specificities,
farm households were clustered into homogenous groups. Twoclusters are built in each of the four AEZs: (i) less poor withweak social capital farm households, (ii) poor with strong social
capital farm, (iii) poor with weak social capital, (iv) less poor
with strong social capital, (v) less poor with weak social capital,(vi) poor with weak social capital, (vii) less poor with weak social
capital, and (viii) poor with weak social capital respectively.
Simulations of the impacts of climate shocks and of
extreme events
The simulations show a drop in farm income due to climate
shocks from 17.43 to 69.48 percent compared to the baseline
scenario. Farmers of agro-ecological zone II will be the mostaffected by climate shocks, followed by agro-ecological zones III,I and IV. Regarding extreme events, the bad rainfall conditions
from the baseline scenario were converted into extreme events(disastrous due to floods and disastrous due to droughts),
under the assumption that the occurrence of extreme events
will increase to the detriment of the bad rainfall conditions.
First, half of the bad rainfall conditions were converted into
extreme events (first scenario), and second, the overall bad
rainfall conditions were transformed into these events (second
scenario), and this holds for floods and for droughts. The results
reveal that floods and droughts affect negatively farming. In
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

the case half of the bad rainfall conditions will be converted
into floods, the poor with weak social capital farm households
of AEZ II will be the most affected. The same category of farmhouseholds will be the most affected when all the bad rainfall
conditions are converted into floods. Regarding droughts, thepoor with strong social capital farm households of AEZ I willbe the most affected.
Adaptation scenarios
The adaptation policies fall into a range of four actions: (i) improve irrigation since agriculture in Benin is mostly rain-fed
and is constrained by the water availability1, (ii) better access tocredit due to the importance of liquidity in farming, (iii) researchand development which is supposed to increase yield level2, and(iv) better access to the labor market3. They contribute to copingwith the adverse impacts of climate shocks on farm income.
The combination of irrigation in cotton production and thepossibility to find available labor, to be hired, appears the best
measure, that mitigates the adverse effects of climate shocks,
followed by the correction of the labor market imperfection
about 100% combined with a perfect credit market, a correctionof 100% of the imperfection in the labor market, an increase of
25% of the maize, sorghum, millet and rice yields and lastly bycredit. The results are consistent with those of previous studies
such as those of Lamb (2003), and Fofana (2011).
Discussion in terms of food and nutrition security
The situation of the farmers in terms of food and nutrition
security will be affected if any action is taken. As climate shocks
are predicted to impact adversely farming, food availability
and access will be affected through a decrease of the part ofthe production devoted to self-consumption and cash incomethat should serve as means to get additional food. Moreover,farmers could not be able to meet dietary diversity. The decreaseof cash income will make things more difficult to the farmers
in terms of being able to afford health care fees.
Conclusion
Farm activities will be negatively affected by climate shocks
and extreme events. The impacts could be mitigated by relevant
adaptation policies. However, the success of the adaptation
policies highly depends on the ability of policymakers to
implement them.
References• Fofana I (2011): Simulating the Impacts of Climate Change
and Adaptation Strategies on Farm Productivity and Income: A
Bioeconomic Analysis. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01095.
• Lamb RL (2003): Fertilizer Use, Risk, and Off-Farm Labor Markets in
the Semi-Arid tropics of India. Amer. J. Agr. Econ 85 (2): 359-371.
• Telser LG (1955): Safety First and Hedging. The Review of Economic
Studies 23 (1): 1-16.
1. Transform cotton rain-fed fields in supplementary irrigated fields for
simplicity.
2. 25% improvement of maize, sorghum, millet and rice yields.
3. Correct labor market imperfection about 100% from the baseline
scenario.

17

F

ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)A3Sensitivity of cereals
production in smallholder
farmers’ fields to climatechange; the case of Upper
White Volta Basin of Ghana
D.S. Maccarthy1*, S.G.K. Adiku2, B.S. Freduah1,
E. Koomson1, J. Amikuzuno3
Soil and Irrigation Research Centre, University of Ghana, P.O.
Box LG 68, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
2
Soil Science Department, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG
25, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
3
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics,
University for Development Studies, Tamale – Ghana.
* Email: dsmaccarthy@gmail.com

in 2012 and used as input data for the model. Climate projections for the near future (2040 – 2069) by 5 GCM and baseline
climate (1980 – 2000) data (with daily temperature, rainfall
and solar radiation), were used to simulate the yield of millet
and maize under (i) baseline climate using baseline cultivar; (ii)projected future climate with baseline cultivar; (iii) projected
future climate with virtual cultivar; (iv) projected future climate
with the use of 45 kg N ha-1. Each of the 30 years simulation
under each scenario was considered as replications. Analysis
of variance was used to compare grain yield under the various
scenarios. Coefficient of variation = (std/m) 100, where std*
and m are standard deviation and mean yield respectively andpercentage yield changes = (PS-BL/BL) 100, where PS and BL*
are mean yields obtained under projected climate and baseline
climate respectively were also calculated. Sensitivity analysis
of weather parameters was also done.

1

Introduction
Climate change is increasingly becoming a major subject ofstudy globally. Its effects are expected to impact differently
in different sub regions with adverse impacts to be more pronounced in low input systems (MacCarthy and Vlek, 2012;
Van Ittersum et al., 2003) in the tropics. Crop production in
Northern Ghana is characterized largely by low input farming
and is dependent on rain-fed conditions. With the projectedvariability that is to be associated with climate change, smallholder farmers are likely to be adversely impacted. There is
therefore the need to characterize the potential effects in thisregion and access possible adaptation measures to address any
negative impact. Studies of this kind in this region are limited
and restricted to the use of a typical field to represent the study
area. This study simulated multiple fields with associated study
assessed the sensitivity of current crop production systems toclimate change and assessed possible benefits of adaptations
and improved soil fertility management to mitigate impacts ofprojected future climate change on cereal production.
Materials and Methods
The study region is Navrongo, located in the Upper East Regionof Ghana. Agricultural Productions Systems sIMulator (APSIM)
version 7.4 calibrated and validated for maize (Fosu-Mensah et
al 2013) and millet (Akponikpe et al 2010) were used. The crop
simulation model was used with weather data from 5 General
Circulation Models (GCM- CCSM4_E, HadGEM2-ES_K, GFDL-ESM2M_I, MPI-ESM-MR_R and MIROC5_O) with simultaneous simulation of multiple farms, multiple management
regimes and multi-years. Information on farmers management
practices were obtained from a house hold survey conducted18

Results and Discussions
Simulated average baseline yield of millet was 318 kg ha-1.
Maintaining the current production systems under climatechange scenarios produced millet yields of between 282 and322 kg ha-1 representing yield reductions of 9% and 12 % for
GCMs CCSM4 and HadGEM2-ES_K respectively. The GCM
GFDL-ESM2M_I produced similar yields compared to the baseline climate while GCM MPI-ESM-MR_R produced an increasein yield over that of the baseline. For maize, baseline yieldof 942 kg ha-1 was simulated. The effect of projected climatechange on maize was marginal with yield reductions of 1 and
4 for GCMs MIROC5_O and HadGEM2-ES_K respectively
while GCMs CCSM4_E produced 2 % yield reduction. As withmillet, GCMs GFDL-ESM2M_I and MPI-ESM-MR_R produced
increased yield, though not significantly different from that of
the baseline. Differences in yield observed among GCMs could
largely be due to differences in projected temperature, rainfall
amounts and the length of the growing season. A sensitivity
analysis of the weather parameters (temperature, rainfall andCO2) indicated that yields of both cereals are most sensitive totemperature changes with increasing temperature resulting indecreasing grain and biomass yield due to accelerated phenology,
thus, reducing time for resource capture (Anwar et al, 2007). The
sensitivity to temperature varied depending on soil type andmanagement practices, with fields with poorer soils being morenegatively affected. Even though the use of virtual cultivars(adapted to heat and drought stress) resulted in increases inyield of between 25 and 53 % for millet and 7 to 12 % for maizeacross GCMs, the use of 45 kg N ha-1 alone with the use of thebase cultivar resulted in yield increases of between 203 to 214% for millet, and between 325 and 356 % for maize.
The uncertainty associated with yield production reducedwith the use of the virtual cultivar and use of mineral fertilizer for both crops (Table 1). Thus, though climate change
poses a threat to food security in this region, the threat canbe significantly reduced by using adapted crop cultivars. If
mineral fertilizers can be made accessible to smallholder farmers, current crop yields can be more than doubled even withclimate change effect.
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

B

C

D

E

Table 1: Simulated variability in the yield of millet and maize under different scenarios in the smallholder systems in upper
east region of Ghana
GCM

Millet (CV - %)Maize (CV - %)

CS+CC

AC+CC

F+CC

CS+CC

AC+CC

F+CC

CCSM4_E

36

21

5

66

66

10

GFDL-ESM2M_I

27

16

5

63

64

8

HadGEM2-ES_K

36

22

5

65

65

10

MIROC5_O

38

23

5

65

66

10

MPI-ESM-MR_R

30

19

7

64

64

9

CS, CC, AC, F are current system, climate change, adapted cultivar and fertilizer respectively

Conclusions
The productivity of maize and millet are sensitive to climatechange. The use of the virtual cultivar will reduce the sensitivityof current crop production systems to climate change. Improved
soil management yielded more benefits under climate change
than the use of virtual cultivar. In light of projected climatechange and its effects, efforts aimed at improving soil fertility
needs to be given more attention as a strategy to improve
food security.

A4
Effects of climate changeon tree species populationand dispersion pattern
within household
farmlands and open
parklands in the Talensi
area of northern Ghana

References• Akponikpe P, Gérard B, Michels K, Bielders C (2010): Use of the
APSIM model in long term simulation to support decision making
regarding nitrogen management for pearl millet in the Sahel.
European Journal of Agronomy 32: 144-154.
• Anwar MR, O’Leary G, McNeil D, Hossain H, Nelson R (2007): Climatechange impact on rain-fed wheat in south-eastern Australia. Field
Crops Research 104:139-147.
• Cooper PJM, Dimes J, Rao KPC, Shapiro B, Shiferawa B, Twomlow S,(2008): Coping better with current climatic variability in the rain-fed
farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa: An essential first step in
adapting to future climate change? Agriculture, Ecosystems andEnvironment 126: 24–35.
• Fosu-Mensah BY, MacCarthy DS, Vlek PLG, Safo EY (2012):
Simulating impact of seasonal climatic variation on the responseof maize (Zea mays L.) to inorganic fertilizer in sub-humid Ghana.
Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems, 94, 255-271.
• MacCarthy DS, Vlek PLG (2012): Impact of climate change onsorghum production under different nutrient and crop residue
management in semi-arid region of Ghana: a modeling perspective.
African Crop Science Journal. 20:2, 275-291.
• Van Ittersum MK, Howden SM, Asseng S (2003): Sensitivity of
productions and deep drainage of wheat cropping systems in a
Mediterranean environment to changes in CO2, temperature andprecipitation. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment 97: (1-3)
255-273.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

F. A. Chimsah1, S. Dittoh2, I. K Dzomeku1
University for Development Studies (UDS), Faculty ofAgriculture, Nyankpala Campus, Ghana.

1

University for Development Studies (UDS), Faculty of
Agribusiness and Consumer Sciences, Nyankpala Campus,
Ghana.
Email: fachimsah@uds.edu.gh

2

Introduction
Ghana is bedeviled with issues of dwindling natural resourcesin the area of tree species. This problem is particularly more
serious in parts of the country that are known to be experiencing the impact of desertification and climate change. According
to the IPCC (2005), Climate change simply refers to increaseor decrease in the average precipitation caused by land-use
changes and the anthropogenic increase in the concentrationsof greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) in theearth’s atmosphere.
Population size generally refers to the number of individuals
present in the population, and is self-explanatory. Density refers
to the number of individuals in a given area. For ecologists density is usually a more useful measure. This is because density is
19

F

ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)standardized per unit area, and therefore, can be correlated withenvironmental factors or used to compare different populations.
Biodiversity conservation relies on understanding how
plant resources are distributed across complex landscapesand modified for human livelihoods (Cunningham, 2001).
The distribution pattern of a tree species population canbe described in three possible types (Random, Uniform or
Clumped). In a random distribution pattern, the locations of
all individuals are independent of each other. In a uniform distribution pattern, the occurrence of one individual reduces thelikelihood of finding another individual nearby. In a clumped
distribution pattern, the occurrence of one individual increases
the likelihood of finding another individual nearby. In this case,individuals tend to form groups or clumps (Sokal & Rolf, 1981).
o
o

o

o

o
o o
o o
o
o
o

o

Random

o

o

o
oo
o

o

o

o
o

o
ooo
oo
ooo
o o

o
ooo
oo
oo
oo

Clumped

o
o

o

o
o
o
o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Uniform

This study was aimed at measuring how rich and abundant
individual woody tree species are in the Talensi area and to determine their dispersion pattern in both household farmlands
and open parklands.
In most cases it is either difficult or simply not possible tocensus all of the individual tree species in a target area. The
only way around this problem is to estimate population size
using some form of sampling technique. So far, in many partsof the world, very few attempts have been made to analyze thepatterns of plant species diversity in the human dominatedlandscape, especially in relation to time scale (Carey et al., 2007;
White et al., 2006). These type of data from studies like this arenecessary for climate change impact assessments (measuring
effects of disturbance) and restoration ecology (restoring
ecological systems). The Talensi area of Northern Ghana falls
within the Talensi District of the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Materials and methods
In this study, stratified random sampling was employed in selecting communities, household farmlands and open parklands.
Fifteen (15) communities were randomly selected for the study.
Within each community, five (5) household farmlands and two(2) open parklands with square land quadrats of 10000m2 were
sampled and data collected. In all, a total of 105 quadrats where
sampled for the study.
Species Richness and Species Abundance was used in estimating population size whilst the Shannon-Weiner Index
was as a measure of Diversity. The variance (s2) to mean ratio
was used to measure Dispersion Pattern. (s2/mean > 1.0 =clumped distribution, s2/mean = 1.0 = random distribution
and s2/mean < 1.0 = uniform distribution). A test statistic (t)was used to test for significantly different in the distribution
pattern. t = {(s2/mean) – 1.0} / {√2/(n – 1)}
20

Results and discussion
In all the study area for both household farmlands and open
parklands, a total of 78 individual woody plant species wereidentified and studied. The most abundant woody trees species(>10 species) in household farmlands were: Adansonia digitata
L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst.
Ex A. Rich, Ficus trichopoda Baker, Jatropha Curcas L., Lannea
acida A. Rich, Mangifera indica L., Parkia biglobosa R.Br. ex G.
Don and Vitellaria paradoxa Gaerfn. F.
In the open parklands, the most abundant species (>3 species) were: Acacia sieberiana DC., Anogeisus leiocarpus (DC) Guill& Perr., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Combretum collinum Fresen,
Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. Ex A. Rich, Ficus trichopoda
Baker, Lannea acida A. Rich, Tamarindus indica L., Vitellaria
paradoxa Gaerfn. F. and Ziziphus abyssina Hochst. ex A. Rich.
Species Richness; is the simplest of all the measures ofsubspecies diversity. The number of species per sample in alocation is a measure of richness. The more species present in asample, the ‘richer’ the sample. It does not take into account the
proportion and distribution of each subspecies within a zone.
Species Abundance; gives an indication of the total numberof individual species present in a given location. Household
farmlands were more species rich than open fields. For species
abundance household farmlands was far higher (657) than open
parklands (189). Diversity (H) based on the Shannon-Weiner
Index showed slight difference for both fields 1.15 and 1.34
for household farmlands and open parklands respectively. The
species diversity which takes into account the species richness
for both fields was not significantly different (p>0.05) fromeach other. To the ecologist, this shows that though household farmlands are more abundant with species, they are notsignificantly different in diversity.
Climate Change analysts are more interested in the spatial
distribution of species populations because it provides information about the social behavior and/or ecological requirementsof the species.
Values obtained from the variance (s2) to mean ratio ofhousehold farmlands and open parklands were greater than 1.
The results therefore shows that dispersion pattern of tree species in both land types could be described as clumped distribution. In a clumped distribution you should find some quadrats
containing a large number of individuals and many quadratsthat are empty. In a clumped dispersion, the occurrence of one
individual increases the likelihood of finding another individual
nearby. A test statistic showed an absolute value of 3.26 and3.27 respectively, for household farmlands and open parklands.
These value show that the distribution pattern is significantly
different from the other patterns (random and uniform) since
the value is greater than 1.96 (at a confidence level of 95%).
Conclusion
Effective management of natural resources can ensure thatthese resources not only survive, but also increase while being
used rationally, thus providing the foundation for sustainable
development and for a stable national economy (Steiner etal., 2004).
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Table 1. Species Diversity in Household Farmlands and Open parklands
Land TypeRichness

Abundance

Diversity (H)Household Farmlands

60

657

1.15

Open Parklands

49

189

1.34

Table 2. Estimates of Variance for Dispersion Pattern of Species Abundance
Field

Mean

Variance (S2)s2/meanIndicated patterntSignificant (Yes/No)

Household farmlands

164.251473.18

8.97

Clumped

3.26

Yes

Open parklands

47.25

425.18

8.99

Clumped

3.27

Yes

A total of 78 individual woody plant species were identified
and studied. The study revealed that household farms lands
are more species rich and abundant than open parklands.
Both fields were not significantly different in-terms of species
diversity. Dispersion pattern of tree species population in the
Talensi area in both land types is described as a clumped, thisindicates a large variation in species numbers between the
different suburbs of the study area.
This study of tree species densities and dispersion pattern
has provided important information about rarity and commonness of species in the Talensi area. The ability to quantify
diversity in this way is an important tool to determine the leveland effect of climate change on our tree species.
References• Carey SA, Ostling J, Harte and Moral R del (2007): Impact of
curve construction and community dynamics on the species time
relationship. Ecology 88: 2145-2153.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2005): Reportof the IPCC Expert Meeting on Emission Estimation of Aerosols
Relevant to Climate Change, Geneva, Swaziland.
• Cunningham AB (2001): Applied Ethnobotany. Earthscan Publication
Ltd., London, UK.
• Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1981): Biometry 2nd edition. W.H. Freeman andcompany, San Francisco.
• Steiner A, Oviedo G (2004): Indigenous knowledge and natural
resources management: in local pathways to Global Developments
systems. Mathematical social science, vol.5 p253 -268.
• White EP, Adler PB, Leuenroth WK, Gill RA, Greenberg D, Kaufman
DM, Rassweiler A, Russak JA, Smith MD, Steinbeck JR, Waide RB &Yao J (2006): A comparison of the species-area relationship acrossecosystem and taxonomic groups. Oikos 112: 185-195.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

A5
Towards sustainable
land and biodiversity
management in traditionalsociety of savannah
ecological zone
Antwi Effah Kwabena, John Boakye-Danquah,
Ruby Mensah, Osamu Saito, George Owusu
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan*Email: antwi@unu.edu
Tel: 08013333743.

Abstract
In recent years, the value, use and management of biologicalresources in traditional societies have widely been recognized
as opportunity for sustainable biodiversity management. In
traditional localities, strong connections exist between indigenous people and their natural environment. Understanding
this connection is fundamental to enhancing knowledge on
local communities’ biological resource utilization and how that
affects biodiversity management. In this study, we examine
how local community’s dependence on biological resources andmanagement practices affects biodiversity. Hence, land use andbiodiversity survey was conducted in the savannah regions ofNorthern Ghana; specifically in the Tolon district covering Yoggu,
Cheshagu, Kpalgun, Fihini, Daboshie and Zagua communities.
Questionnaires were administered to individual households andinformation solicited on patterns and practices of biologicalresource use. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected
community leaders and traditional heads while group meetings
21

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)with select community members were conducted; both of which
explored the changing use land and management practices andimpacts on biodiversity. Key community biological resources were
mapped out and analyzed to assess the extent of their ecologicalvulnerability. Findings indicate that biodiversity loss is high inthe study communities to which the communities are willingto pay high cost in preservation of biodiversity. Findings also
show that though the potential of traditional natural resourcesmanagement for effective biodiversity conservation is vast,
the sustainability of these resources is seriously threatened.
Extensive agricultural land use conversion and poor farming
practices remains the direct drivers to biodiversity change. In
addition, break down in the belief systems, overharvesting ofwood resources, population increase, limited land access, drought
and bush fires combine to push most biological resources toextinction. We recommend that, for sustainable management of
biological diversity, there is the need for communities to preserveand maintain reserves (sacred groves) as these remain the only
store of biodiversity resources. Again, supporting communities toestablish and maintain woodlots particularly on degraded lands
as well as reforestation programmes could reduce the burden
on wooded species. To strengthen local institutions to support
sustainable management of biodiversity, public education andawareness creation, and integration of traditional and modern
knowledge system are proposed as necessary for sustainable
management of biological resources.

A6
Reducing woody species
composition of riparian
forests in farmlands in the
moist savannas of Ghana:
implication on managing
risks to climate change
impacts
Emmanuel Amoah Boakye1*, Dibi N’da Hyppolite2,
Victor Rex Barnes3, Stefan Porembski4,
Michael Thiel5, François N. Kouamé2, Daouda Kone2
Working Group on Forest Certification, Ghana
UFR Biosciences, Université Felix Houphouët Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
3
Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science & Technology, Ghana
4
Institute of Biosciences, University of Rostock, Germany
5
Department for Geography and Geology, University ofWuerzburg, Germany*Email: emab82@yahoo.com
1
2

22

Introduction
In savanna agricultural landscape, riparian forests (RF) areresilient to climate change impacts as the continuous supplyof moisture coupled with the topographic heterogeneity andclosed linear canopy limit grassy fuel loads, increase relative
humidity, decrease temperature and wind speed to reducefire risks (Sambare et al., 2011; Azihou et al., 2013). RF are
ecologically important as they protect farmlands from flooding,
drying and sedimentation. They also serve as habitat for faunasuch as birds, insects and other organisms that are essential
for crop pollination, seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. Dueto these functions and many others, RF are protected by international conventions, national laws and policies (McCracken
et al., 2012; Gray et al., 2014). In spite of this, RF are being
cleared for agricultural activities, resulting in the loss of woody
species composition and linked functions. Globally, land areas
dedicated to agricultural production are much greater thanprotected areas, and therefore agricultural landscapes cannot
be excluded from biodiversity conservation (Gray et al., 2014).
With appropriate management, agricultural landscapes cancontribute to the preservation of biodiversity and deliveryof ecosystem services (McCracken et al., 2012). This study
compares riparian woody species composition in farmlands
and that in protected area using the Afram River located in
the Guinean forest-savanna transition of Ghana as case study.
It also assesses the implications of the differences in woody
species composition to management of risks to climate change
impacts. This would provide baseline for appropriate management of biodiversity on farmlands.
Materials and methods
The study was conducted along the Afram river in protectedarea (PA; Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve) and on farmland(FA) in the Guinean forest-savanna transition of the Ashanti
region of Ghana (Fig. 1) (Ofori et al., 2014). Crops cultivatedon farmlands are predominantly maize and rice. The averageannual temperature and precipitation are 27oC and 1400mm
respectively. The topography is flat to gently undulating withsmall areas of steep slopes occurring locally. The soil is welldrained sandy loam (Callo-Concha et al., 2012). Prior to fieldsampling from October-December (2013), woody vegetation
within the river catchment was mapped with ALOS AVNIR
image of 27 February 2011 (resolution=10m) using maximum
likelihood classification algorithm at an accuracy of 89% (Fig. 1)
to facilitate inventory with stratified randomized design in FA
and PA. Whether in PA or FA, the rivercourse was divided into 3
blocks, each of length (6-8km). The woody species (diameter at
breast height ≥ 5cm) inventory was conducted in sixty random
rectangular plots (500m2 per plot), 30 each in PA and FA and
10 per block. Shannon-Wiener Index (SWI) was calculated as ameasure of woody species diversity (Natta et al., 2003). Woody
species density was calculated per plot of 500m2. Student’s
t-test was used to estimate the significance of the differences of
SWI and density between the PA and FA. Significance level (p)for comparison was fixed at 0.05 for a degree of freedom (df).

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Fig. 1 Location map of the research area in the Ashanti region of Ghana

40

Abundance (%)

35
30
PA

25

FA

20
15
10
5
0
-5

5–10

10–15

15–20

20–25

25–30

30–35

35–40

40–45

45–50

≥50

Diameter classes (cm)Fig. 2 Diameter class distribution of individuals ≥5 cm dbh in RF in PA and FA

Results and discussion
A total of 63 woody species belonging to 24 families wererecorded along the Afram river in both PA and FA with threemost species rich families being Papilionaceae (14%), Rubiaceae(14%) and Caesalpiniaceae (13%). This finding testifies to theimportance of RF in maintaining high species richness, due tothe intensity and frequency of floods, small-scale variation in
topography and soil of the riparian area that create a diversityof habitats which allows a wide variety of species to co-exist(Sambare et al., 2011). The number of species in this study was
higher than that reported along the Comoé (54) and Ouémé(50) rivers located in the Sudano-Guinean savannas of Coted’Ivoire and Benin respectively (Natta & Porembski, 2003).
The total number of specimen recorded along the Afram riverwas 1232 with 817 in PA and 415 in FA. Thirty four species
were common to both PA and FA. Twenty four and 5 species
were found exclusively in PA and FA respectively. Examples of
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

the species found only in the PA were Albizia glaberrima (2%),
Albizia zygia (1%), Alchornea cordifolia (1%) etc. The five species
recorded exclusively in FA only were Acacia macrostachya (1%),
Anthocleista nobilis (1%), Azadirachta indica (1%), Canthium
vulgare (2%) and Raphia hookeri (1%). Some of the species
common to the PA and FA were Pterocarpus santalinoides (11%),
Mitragyna inermis (11%), Cynometra megalophylla (7%) etc. In
all, the number of species reduced from PA (58) to FA (39)contrary to our expectation as RF is protected by law in Ghana.
Shifting cultivation, farm expansion and intensification may
have caused the removal of the woody species in FA (Ceperley
et al., 2010). It was therefore, not surprising that the mean SWIof the riparian woody species on FA (3.1±0.4) was significantly
lower (t=7.09, df=58, p<0.0001) than the PA (3.8±0.3). In spiteof this, the SWI in both FA and PA were within the range (2.4
to 5.4) reported in other savannas of West Africa (Natta &Porembski, 2003; Natta et al., 2003).
23

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Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)The diameter class distribution of woody species of RF on FA
was similar to that in PA as both showed a reversed “J” shaped
curve (Fig. 2). This finding meant that the RF on FA still has thepotential to regenerate naturally and face no danger of extinction
as observed in other studies (Sambare et al., 2011). Nevertheless,the significant reduction (t=12.4, df=58, p<0.0001) in the meandensity of woody species from the PA (27.2±4.8) to FA (13.8±3.4)
is likely to increase soil moisture loss and increase risks of RF
on farmlands to fires (Azihou et al., 2013).
Conclusion
Riparian forests in this part of Ghana contribute to the conservation of high woody species composition. Nevertheless, thedecline in the woody species composition from protected area
to farmland may be increasing the risks of riparian forests inthis area to climate change impacts. Managing the risks will bedifficult unless conscious effort is made to retain woody species
on farmlands, or area excluded from farming for recovery.
References• Azihou FK, Glele KR, Ronald B, Brice S (2013): Distribution of tree
species along a gallery forest–savanna gradient: patterns, overlaps
and ecological thresholds. J Trop Ecol 29:25-37.
• Callo-Concha D, Gaiser T, Ewert F (2012): Farming and cropping
systems in the West African Sudanian Savanna. WASCAL researcharea: Northern Ghana, Southwest Burkina Faso and Northern Benin.
ZEF Working Paper 100, Bonn, Germany.
• Ceperley N, Montagnini F, Natta A (2010): Significance of sacred sites forriparian forest conservation in Central Benin. Bois For Trop 303:5-23.
• Gray CL, Slade EM, Mann DJ, Lewis OT (2014): Do riparian reserves
support dung beetle biodiversity and ecosystem services in oil palmdominated tropical landscapes? Ecol Evol 7:1049-1060.
• McCracken DI, Cole LJ, Harrison W, Robertson D (2012): Improving
the Farmland Biodiversity Value of Riparian Buffer Strips: Conflicts
and Compromises, J Environ Qual 41:355–363.
• Natta AK, Porembski S (2003): Ouémé and Comoé: forest-savanna
border relationships in two riparian ecosystems in West Africa. Bot
Jahrb Syst 124:383-396.
• Natta AK, Sinsin B and van der Maesen LJG (2003): Riparian forestsand biodiversity conservation in Benin (West Africa). Paper presented
at the XII World Forestry Congress, organized by FAO in Quebec,
Canada, September 21 to 28, 2003. pp 126-127.
• Ofori BD, Nukpezah D, Ayivor JS, Lawson ET, Gordon C (2014):
Leadership, Local Knowledge and Water Management: Lessons from
Fringe Communities of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, Ghana. Int
J Dev Sust 3:353-370.
• Sambare O, Bognounou F, Wittig R, Thiombiano A (2011): Woody
species composition, diversity and structure of riparian forests of fourwatercourses types in Burkina Faso. J For Res 22:145−158.

24

A7
Bushfires andagroecosystems change innorthern Ghana: insightsfrom rural households
in the Wa West District,
Upper West region
Yaw Agyeman Boafo*1 Godfred Seidu Jasaw1,
Osamu Saito1, John Boakye-Danquah2,
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
United Nations University-Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
2
Department of Geography and Resource Development,
University of Ghana, Legon*Email: boafo@isp.unu.edu
1

1. Introduction
Fire, regarded as one of mans’ earliest discoveries and tools
has been extensively utilized in the modification of the naturalenvironments for centuries. It remains integral in land management and livelihood systems of households and communities
across socio-ecological regions. It is argued that, the evolution
and present nature of the savanna ecosystem in Africa is areflection humans’ frequent use of fire on the landscape (White,
1983; Stott, 1991; Whelan, 1995; Laris, 2002; Mistry, 2002).
Thus, the savanna agroecosystem is characteristically noted
for the prevalent use of fires by inhabitants. The importanceand dependence on fire by rural households in the savanna
ecosystem is noticeable in land clearing, herding, hunting, andfuelwood harvesting (Appiah et al., 2010, Prasad et al., 2008).
Notwithstanding the importance of fire to rural economies,
its use—regulated and unregulated— has been empiricallyfound to be detrimental to the social, economic and physicalmilieu. Thus, bushfires may well be referred to as the deliberateor accidental burning of vegetation for various reasons. Bushfires have been found to be primary contributors to the global
increase in greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2007; Prasad etal. 2008). In the tropical savanna regions of many countries
including Ghana, perennial bushfires play a fundamental rolein the degradation and decline of essential ecosystem services(FAO, 2000; EPA, 2002; Kalame et al., 2009).
In Ghana, bushfires are known drivers of environmental
change across the six agro-ecological zones since the droughtsof 1983/84 (EPA, 2002; Gyasi et al. 1995; Blay et al., 2008).
Available data on the effects of the 1984-85 bushfires on thevarious socio-ecological zones of Ghana shows that the Sudan
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

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and Guinea savanna zones experienced the most negative
impacts (EPA, 2002).Within the savanna agro-ecological zones
of northern Ghana, the focal area for this study, annual bushfires is widespread and is negatively impacting on the social,economic and physical conditions of inhabitants. The savanna
regions’ unique grassland ecosystem coupled with its distinct
climatic regimes—short wet and long dry seasons— makes thelandscape suitable for fire utilization. Consequently, the area
is highly vulnerable to human and nature-induced bushfires,
thus resulting in high depletion of soil organic matter andnutrients, loss of vegetative cover, and the decline and scarcity
of provisioning ecosystem services (EPA, 2002). Ultimately,
the productive capacity of agriculture lands in the regions
have been reduced greatly, thus worsening the poverty andfood insecurity situation among households (Sonsgore, 2006;
Yahaya and Amoah, 2013).
While a number of studies have examined the interconnections between bushfires and savanna agroecosystem, thefocus has often been on the social and biophysical implications
on households and communities (Fairhead and Leach, 1998;
Mistry, 2002, Laris, 2002; Appiah et al. 2010; Yahaya andAmoah, 2013). Few studies adopt an integrated approach toevaluate the vulnerability of the physical and social componentsof ecosystems to the effects of fires. An integrated study is
expected to provide findings that can aid local, regional andnational governments in pragmatic decision-making. Against
this backdrop, this study utilizes a multidisciplinary approachcombining socio-economic and physical environmental data
to examine the influence of bushfires on savanna agroecosystem changes in northern Ghana. By this, the study identifies
households and other stakeholders’ perceptions of the causes,
effects and experiences of bushfires in their livelihood activities.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Study Area Description
The Wa West District is located in the Upper West Region of
Ghana approximately between longitudes 40ºN and 45ºN
and Latitudes 9ºW and 32ºW. It lies in the Sudan savanna
agro-ecological zone with a generally undulating landscapeaveraging a height of between 180m and 300m above sea level.
With a distinctive uni-modal rainfall pattern, communities inthe district enjoy two marked seasons. The rainy season usually
begins in May and ends in September with the dry season
beginning in October and ending in April. Average monthly
maximum temperature is 33ºC while the daily highest is 35ºC.
Subsistence farming involving crop production and animal
rearing is the dominant socio-economic households among.
The Black Volta River is an important water body supporting
farming and other household needs including fishing. This
study focuses on three villages; Zowayili, Bankpama and Baleufili, which are part of carefully selected sites for the ongoinginternational collaborative research on climate and ecosystemchange in northern Ghana. These communities are characterized by annual incidence of floods and droughts which often
impacts negatively on social, economic and environmental
sustenance of households.
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

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2.2 Methods
This study started with a reconnaissance survey of the study
sites in August, 2013 during which household questionnaires
were pretested and revised. The finalized survey was conducted
on a sample of 90 randomly selected households (30 in eachstudy site). Questions asked included the use of fire, causes,
frequency, effects, and prevention techniques for bushfires. The
sample frame included all households in each of the study sites.
Key informant interviews made up of hunters, herdsmen andlead farmers were identified and interviewed with the help ofcommunity leaders. Group meetings composed of key informants were also held in each study site to validate household
and individual responses from earlier interviews. Field visits
to farms, conserved areas and other places of interests were
undertaken and photographs taken.
Land cover change detection assessment involved the useof Landsat TM images of 1991, 2001 and 2011. Bands 5, 4,
and 3 were combined (Red-Green-Blue, RGB). These images
were mosaicked to size using the co-ordinates of the Wa West
district. Reclassification resulted in five main landuse andland cover (LULC) classes—water body, vegetation, bareland,
cultivated/farmlands and built-up areas. Total coverage foreach LULC was extracted. Groundtruthing with the aid of a
Global Positioning System was undertaken.
3. Results and Discussion
The use of fire outside the homes of respondents was foundto be extremely high with no significant differences being
observed in the study sites. Interviewees mentioned a numberof reasons behind their use of fire to include killing pests andweeds, clearing bush for farming, collecting honey, hunting
for bushmeat and pasture regrowth. The uncontrolled use offire for these varieties of human–related activities especiallyin drought season was mentioned as the most immediate
causes of bushfires. Observed negative changes to biodiversity
and ecosystems and its provisioning services were cited as theeffects of episodic bushfires. Principally, respondents alluded
the shea tree’s (Vitellaria paradoxa) declining flowering andfruiting capability to frequent exposure to heat shocks frombushfires. Change detection analysis from land cover maps
showed a significant decline in vegetative cover between
1991, 2001 and 2011. Although this study cannot explicitly
blame the loss in vegetative cover on bushfires, land coverchange results provides a significant proof of anthropogenicrole in the area of which bush burning is well mentioned
by households.
Respondent’s memories of the destructive effects of bushfires on their livelihoods seem to have little influence on theirutilization of fire. Despite local communities’ perception of
bushfires as a seasonal hindrance and threat to household
livelihood, fire is also widely acknowledged as being criticalin improving socio-economic and environmental aspects oflocal livelihoods. Fuelwood resources, which require fire in
harvesting in most cases is now scarce, a condition blamedlargely on the destructive force frequent of bushfires.

25

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)4. Conclusion
This study further demonstrates that fire utilizations among
rural households remain important and inseparable from livelihood sustenance. The challenge however remains the inability
to effectively regulate its use and prevention. Communityand district level fire management techniques have yielded
little impact, a situation largely attributed to governance incompatibilities. A pragmatic participatory fire management
strategy which engages community, local, regional and national
stakeholders is deemed essential urgent.

A8
Using participatory scenario
exploration exercise to
examine agricultural landuse/cover change options insemi arid Ghana

References• Appiah M, Damnyag L, Blay D, Pappinen A (2010) forest andagroecosystem fire management in Ghana. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob
Change 15:551-570• Blay D, Appiah M, Damnyag L, Dwomoh F, Luukkanen O, Pappinen
A (2008). Involving local farmers in rehabilitation of degraded tropicalforests: some lessons from Ghana. Environ Dev. Sustain 10 (4):503-518• Environmental Protection Agency (2002) National Action Programme
to Combat Drought and Desertification, Accra, Ghana• Fairhead J, Leach M (1998). Reframing deforestation in West Africa.
Routledge, London• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (2000). Global forest
resources assessment report. FAO Forestry Paper 140, 479p.
• Gyasi, E.A, G.T. Agyepong, E. Ardayfio-Schandorf, L. Enu-Kwesi,
J.S Nabila and E Owusu-Bennoah (1995) Production pressure andenvironmental \change in the forest-savanna zone of southern
Ghana, Glob Environ Change 5 (4): 355- 366.
• IPCC. (2007). Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change
2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I
to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M.
Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M.Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA[Online]: Available http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/
wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pd (retrieved on 12 June, 2013)• Kalame FB, Nkem J, Idinoba M (2009). Matching national forestry
policies and management practices for climate change adaptationin Burkina Faso and Ghana. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 14:
135-151.
• Laris P (2002) Burning the seasonal mosaic: preventing burning
strategies in the wooded savanna of southern Mali. Hum Ecol 20.
155-86• Mistry J (2002). Decision-making for fire use among farmers insavannas: an exploratory study in the Distrito Federal central Brazil.
J. Environ Manage. 54, 321-34.
• Prasad KV, Badarinath KVS, Eaturu A (2008). Biophysical andanthropogenic controls of forest fires in the Deccan Plateau, India. J.
Environ Manage 86:1-13• Stot P (1994). Savanna landscapes and global environmental change,
In Roberts N (ed) The changing global environment. Blackwell, Oxford• Whelan RJ (1995). The ecology of fire. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge• White F (1983). The vegetation of Africa. UNESCO, Paris.
• Yahaya A, Amoah ST (2013). Bushfires in the Nandom District of
the Upper West Region of Ghana: a perpetual threat to food crop
production. J. Environ Earth Sci. 3 (7) 10-14.

26*Biola K. Badmos1,2, Grace B. Villamor3,4,
Sampson K. Agodzo5, Samuel N. Odai1,2,Samuel S. Guug6
Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science andTechnology, Kumasi, Ghana
2West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change andAdapted Land Use (WASCAL), Kumasi, Ghana
3West Africa Science Service Center on Climate Change andAdapted Land Use (WASCAL), Center for Development
Research, University of Bonn, Germany
4
World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
5
Agricultural Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
6West Africa Science Service Center on Climate Change andAdapted Land Use (WASCAL), Bolgatanga station, Ghana*Email: biolakz@yahoo.com
1

Abstract
In sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), studies on land-use/cover (LUC)
change have focused more on change from forest or woodland toother types of LUC. Very few studies have looked at change fromone agricultural land-use/cover (ALUC) to another ALUC, andthese may have accompanied impact(s) on the environment.
Drivers of ALUC identified during household survey (186),
interview of stakeholders and information from literature
were used to develop descriptive scenarios (what-if-questions)that were presented to farmers during participatory scenario
exploration exercise. The drivers used include: [climate (rainfall)and socio-economic (finance availability, fertilizer access, seed
prices)]. This study was conducted in northern Ghana, wherelarger numbers of people derive their livelihood from agriculture. Rainfall related scenarios influence replacement of crop(s)from agricultural land (agricultural-land-conversion); while
socio-economic scenarios influence the incorporation of crop(s)to an existing agricultural land (agricultural-land-modification).
Farmers may change their ALUC under certain conditions/stressors, and this might have accompanied environmental
trade-off. In this part of the world, in-depth, well documented
impacts of ALUC on the environment are scanty. Therefore, toeffectively direct policy in this direction, it will be necessary toinvestigate more on the environmental impacts associated with
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

various agricultural land-use/covers. Furthermore, minimizing
the possible associated environmental trade-offs should be ofmajor concern.

Measuring the economic
impact of climate change
on plantation agriculturein Nigerian: a Ricardian
approach
William M. Fonta1,2 Elias T. Ayuk2, Safiétou Sanfo1
WASCAL, (West African Science Service Center on Climate
Change and Adapted Land Use) WASCAL Competence Center,
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
2
United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources inAfrica (UNU-INRA), Accra, Ghana.
Email: fontawilliam@gmail.com

C

D

E

A10
The effects of climate
variability on agricultural
productivity in Ghana

Key words: agricultural land-use/cover, agricultural land-use/cover change
drivers, decision making, participatory scenario, semi-arid Ghana.

A9

B

Samuel A. Donkoh1, William Adzawla1,
Gideon Danso-Abbeam1 , Victor Lolig2,
Geetha Mohan3, Hirotaka Matsuda4
Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics,
University for Development Studies.
Email Id: sdonkoh@uds.edu.gh
2
Department of Agricultural Extension, Gender and Rural
Development.
3
Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, The
University of Tokyo, Japan.
4
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo,
Japan.
1

1

Abstract
This study used the Ricardian analytical framework to examine
the relative importance of climate normals (average long-term
temperature and precipitation) in explaining net revenue from
Nigerian cocoa plantation farmlands. A survey was carriedout for 280 cocoa plantation farmers in seven different cocoa
producing regions across Nigeria. The empirical findings suggest
high sensitivity of net farm revenue per cocoa hectare to climate
normals in Nigeria. On average, reduction in rainfall decreases
net farm revenue per plantation hectare whereas warming
increases net farm revenue. However, this varies with the threeseasons used in the analysis. Furthermore, predictions from
uniform climate scenarios and three AOGCM scenarios (i.e.,
CCC, CCRS and PCM) for the years 2020 and 2060, suggest
drastic decline in future net farm revenue between the rangesof -13.4 % to -42.4% depending on the model. This is consistent
with previous empirical findings that CC damages could belarge in tropical developing countries, depending on the actual
climate scenario.
Keywords: Ricardian analysis, CC, net farm revenue, cocoa plantation,
climate simulations, Nigeria.

Introduction
Prevailing evidence already shows that in semi-arid regions ofAfrica, rainfall distribution over the past few years is low andhighly variable, spatially and inter-temporally (Amikuzuno
and Donkoh, 2012). Growth and development in developing
countries (Ghana inclusive) is dependent on agricultural development (World Bank, 2008). This implies that the factorsthat influence agricultural development, including rainfall andtemperature, have relevance to Ghana’s development.
Objectives
The objective of the study was to investigate the effects ofclimate variables on agricultural output in Ghana. We usedagricultural data from FAO and climate data from the Ghana
Meteorological Service. The period of study was from 1980
to 2011.The variables considered in the models were total
agricultural crop value, comprising of 22 major crops in Ghana;land; labour; fertilizer; pesticides; tractor services; livestock;temperature; and rainfall.
Materials and Methods
We adopted Battese and Coelli’s (1993, 1995) formulations of
the stochastic frontier model which make one-step estimation
possible to correct for any inconsistencies. The empirical model
adopted a Cobb-Douglas specification. According to Coelli etal. (1998) if the value of crop output, rather than the physicalquantities, are used as the dependent variable, then the efficiency scores are economic rather than technical efficiency.
The empirical model of the study is as follows:

JEL Classification: O13, O21, Q54.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

27

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (I)Table1: Maximum likelihood estimation of the stochastic frontier model
Variable

CoefficientStandard error

T-value

Crop value
Constant

1.380

1.201

1.115

Land

-2.795 ***0.530-5.268

Labour

2.772 ***

0.197

14.043

Fertilizer

0.005

0.005

1.022

0.055

***

0.020

2.724

Tractor cost

0.021

***

0.006

3.856

Livestock value

0.648 **

0.259

2.503

-1713.744

***

0.899

-1906.290

857.431

***

0.489

1753.762-973.006

***

0.895

-1087.433

486.471

***

0.449

1082.913-2.959 **1.168-2.534

0.118

***

0.041

2.854

-0.245***0.074-3.288Pesticides

Temperature
Temperature square
RainfallRainfall square
Inefficiency
Constant
Temperature
Rainfall
Variance parameters
Sigma squared

0.0186 ***0.00404.7130Gamma

0.9999 ***0.000026912.3010** Significant at 5%; ***Significant at 1%.

Output value = β 0 + β1Land + β 2 Labour + β3 Fertilizer +β 4 Pesticides + β 5Tractor cost + β 6 Livestock + β 7Temperature +β8Tem s squared + β8 Ra inf all + β 9 Rain squared + u1

Inefficiency(u) = γ 0 + γ1Temperature + γ 2 Ra inf all + u2

Results and Discussion
From the Table, the maximum likelihood estimation resultsof the stochastic frontier model showed that all the variables,
except fertilizer, in both the first part and the inefficiency
effects model were significant, most of them maintaining
their expected signs. However, land had a negative coefficient,
implying that more of its use led to decreased output. Also,
while the fist terms of temperature and rainfall had negative
effects on output; the squared values had positive impacts.
This means that at the initial stages of production, low levelsof temperature and rainfall led to increased agricultural output,
but at the latter stages high levels of these climatic factors led
to a continuous rise in output levels. In the inefficiency effects
model, however, while temperature had a positive coefficient,
the coefficient of rainfall was negative, meaning that high levelsof temperature led to inefficiency of farmers, while high levelsof rainfall led to increased farmers’ efficiency.
Conclusions
The conclusions to be drawn from the findings are that whilein the past, relatively low levels of temperature and rainfall
28

were needed to increase agricultural productivity, in recent
times and perhaps in future, for output to continue to increase;higher levels of the climatic factors are needed. For farmers
to be economically efficient however, temperature levels must
reduce while rainfall levels must rise. Thus, while more rainfall
is necessary for both growth in agricultural productivity andeconomic efficiency of farmers, more temperature, though goodfor agricultural productivity growth, does not augur well for
economic efficiency. Since agricultural productivity growth is ameans to farmers’ economic efficiency, we recommend policies
that increase rainfall or its substitute (such as irrigation) but
reduce temperature.
References• Amikuzuno, J. and Donkoh, SA (2012): Climate Variability and Yields
of Major Staple Food Crops in Northern Ghana African Crop Science
Journal, Vol. 20, Issue Supplements2• Battese, GE and Coelli, TJ (1993): A stochastic frontier production
function incorporating a model of technical inefficiency effects.
Working Papers in Econometrics and Applied Statistics, 69, Departmentof Econometrics, University of New England, Armidale.
• Battese, GE and Coelli, TJ (1995): A model for technical inefficiency
effects in a stochastic frontier production function for panel data.
Empirical Economics 20, 325-32.
• Coelli, TJ Prasada Rao, DS, Battese, GE (1998): An Introduction
to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis. London: Kluver Academic
Publishers.
• World Bank (2008): The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained
Growth and Inclusive Development. Washington, DC.

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Wednesday 6th August 2014
13:30 – 17:30

ABSTRACTS

SESSION
B1 » 10

B

Risk Assessment ofExtreme Weather Events

Expert-based assessment of driving forces of land use change and landscape services in theUpper East region, Ghana
30
Variation analysis of rainfall and temperature in northern savannahs of Ghana30Comparison of GSMaP mvk data with surface data at semi-arid regions in Africa

32

Modeling flood hazard zones at sub-district level with the rational model integrated with GIS
and Remote Sensing approaches32
Validating GSMaP satellite rainfall data with in situ data to facilitate the improvement ofalgorithms for rainfall estimation using satellite imagery for Ghana
33
Numerical weather prediction trial: the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model 33
Analysis of climate extremes in northern Ghana

34

Development of a Volta-river catchment flood model

34

Estimation of the amount of surface runoff contributed from Sissily-Kulpawn catchment within
Ghana-Burkina Faso border using Curve Number (CN) method 35
Rainfall changes in the savannah zone of northern Ghana 1961–2010

35

ABSTRACTS

Risk Assessment of Extreme Weather Events

B1

B2

Expert-based assessmentof driving forces of land
use change and landscapeservices in the Upper East
region, Ghana

Variation analysis of
rainfall and temperature
in northern savannahs of
Ghana

Janina Kleemann1, Dr. Christine Fürst1, Gülendam
Baysal1, Hongmi Koo1, Justice Nana Inkoom1
Center for Development Research (ZEF) Walter-Flex-Straße 3,53113 Bonn, Germany
Email: jkleemann@uni-bonn.de
Phone: +49 228/731721

1

This research focuses at the identification of the most important
driving forces of land use change in the Upper East Region,
located in northern Ghana, its influence on land use and crop
types as well as the consequence for services provided by thelandscape, such as crop productivity or freshwater provision.
The analysis is embedded in the WASCAL-initiative (WestAfrican Science Service Center on Climate Change and AdaptedLand Use) which aims at the improvement of the resilienceof sensitive socio-ecological systems (SES) such as the ruralarea in northern Ghana. WASCAL gives recommendations foradapted land use strategies to the changing environment of the
Sudanian Savanna Zone. Experts from scientific institutions in
Ghana have been interviewed for the most important driving
forces of land use change. Essential landscape services havebeen identified by the WASCAL-community. The analysis of
causal relations between drivers of land use change, its influence on land use types and impact on landscape services will be
conducted by means of Bayesian Modeling. Graph theory andprobabilistic dependencies are both represented in Bayesian
Networks (BN) and give a fast and simplified overview of thecomplex conditional relations between drivers of land usechange, land use types and landscape services. Quantitative as
well as qualitative primary and secondary data will be incorporated into the BN. In the case of non-available data or uncertain
relations of variables the expert panel will be consulted to fillin missing values and information.
In this presentation, results from the expert consultationand WASCAL-community survey will be presented. The supporting role of the BN within the framework will be highlighted.
Finally, it will be shown how the approach could be used foradapted land use planning.

30

Abagale, F. K.*, Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G.,
Shaibu, A-G., Gandaa, B. Z.
University for Development Studies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Tamale, Ghana*Corresponding Author: fabagale@yahoo.com

Abstract
The study analyses the variation of rainfall and temperature
as important climatological parameters which have a great
influence on agriculture production in the Northern Savannahs of Ghana. Data for the study is collected from four (4)synoptic meteorological stations of Northern Ghana for the
purpose of assessing the level of variation over the various
periods. Temperature and rainfall data for over (30) years wereanalyzed. Among the four (4) stations, inter-annual rainfall wasmuch more variable in the Nyankpala area recording 28.75 %variability compared to the others. Annual rainfall variability
was however in the range of 13.65 – 24.14 % for the various
periods and locations of the study. The highest temperature wasrecorded in Navrongo as 42.29 oC whilst the lowest was recordedin the Nyankpala area as 14.27 oC. With these temperature
ranges and rainfall amounts, potential evapotranspiration of
181.44 mm was recorded for Tamale whilst Navrongo recorded
potential evapotranspiration of 197.56 mm for 48 years as
averages. Rainfall and temperature were observed to vary
widely and were location dependent and this impacted largelyon activities of farmers in the areas in terms of type of crop toplant and timing of planting.
Keywords: Variation, Temperature, Rainfall, Savannah, Analysis
Introduction
The rainfall seasons of Ghana are controlled by the movementof the Inter - Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which oscillates
between then northern and southern tropics over the courseof every year. A single rainfall regime characterise Northern
Ghana and this occurs mainly between May and November,when the ITCZ is in its northern position and the prevailingwind is south ‐ westerly, and a dry season between December
and March when the ‘Harmattan’ wind blows north ‐ easterly.
Rainfall is averagely more than evapotranspiration in
Northern Region during the major growing seasons from
July-October (Kranjac-Berisavljevic’, 1998). If the stresses
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

of low moisture and high temperature can be alleviated, earlyplanted crops will not only yield more than those planted latebut also improve the chance of double cropping by relay orsequential plantings (Ayoade, 1993).
Materials and Methods
The study is done in Northern Ghana considering the Guinea
and Sudan Savannah areas. Rainfall and temperature data
varying from 29 to 51 years of continuous records were analyzed for Bawku (Manga), Navrongo, Tamale and Nyankpala
Synoptic Meteorological Stations. Most records started fromthe year 1960. Annual rainfall variability was established foreach location using the relation developed by Le Houerou andPopov (1981) and presented as equation 1.
V = (59.6 + 0.11P)*100/P................................... equation 1
Where;
V = Annual variability (%)
P = Rainfall amount (mm)The inter-annual variation model developed by McGregor
and Nieuwolt (1998) as equation 2 was used to estimate theinter-annual variability of rainfall for the areas.
Vr =σ× 100 ……………………equation 2.
p

Where:
Vr = inter-annual variability (%)
p = Mean rainfall (mm)σ = standard deviation of rainfall for the period in consideration.
Results
For the period under consideration the Tamale Synoptic station
recorded as its lowest annual rainfall an amount of 695.3 mm
in the year 1992 whilst the highest was recorded as 1666.4 mm
1963. An average rainfall of 1093.59 mm was recorded for the51 years of data with 27 years recording below the average of1093.59 mm and 24 years recording above the average for thearea and the period. Generally annual rainfall amounts below
1000 mm/y was recorded in 15 years whilst 36 years recorded
rainfalls above an amount of 1000 mm/y.
Rainfall annual variability ranged from 14.57 – 20.11 %whilst the inter-annual variability of rainfall was realized as
18.35 % for the area.
Forty two (42) years of continuous rainfall in the Nyankpala
Synoptic Station was considered during the study and it wasobserved that the average annual rainfall for the area was1021.25 mm with the lowest being 453.3 mm recorded in
the year 2004 and the highest being 2247.7 mm and recordedin the year 1968. Twenty (20) years were observed to haverecorded annual totals below 1000 mm/y whilst twenty two(22) years recorded annual totals above 1000 mm/y. Twenty
one (21) years each recorded annual rainfall amounts below andabove the average recorded for the period. The records showthat rainfall was much more variable in the area comparedto the Tamale area with annual variability in the range of
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

13.65 – 24.14 %. Inter-annual variability was relatively very
high (28.75 %).
In the Navrongo Synoptic Station using 53 years of annual
rainfall records an annual variability in the range of 15.36 –19.88 % and inter-annual variability of 15.49 % were recorded.
The records show that the lowest amount of rainfall (670.5 mm)
was recorded in the year 1977 whilst the highest amount wasrecorded in the year 1999 as 1365.3 mm. Over the 53 years of
rainfall records, an average of 986.92 mm was recorded andlargely falling below the averages for Tamale and Nyankpala
Synoptic stations. Twenty four (24) years recorded annual totals
above the mean rainfall whilst 29 years recorded annual totals
below the mean rainfall. Also twenty two (22) years were observed to have recorded annual totals above 1000 mm/y whilst
31 years recorded annual totals below 1000 mm/y or rainfall.
In the Bawku or Manga area which is considered as Sudan
Savanna, annual rainfall variations were in the range of 14.81– 23.93 %. Inter-annual variations were observed as 22.27% of the rainfall observed for 29 years. Lowest amount wasrecorded as 460.90 mm and of which occurred in year 1983
whilst the highest was recorded in 2007 as 1562.7 mm. An
annual average of 934.4 mm was recorded for the area with
13 years being above the average annual rainfall and 16 years
recording annual amounts below the average rainfall. It wasobserved however that, 8 years of the recorded had recorded
rainfall amounts above 1000 mm/y whilst 21 years recorded
annual amounts below 1000 mm/y.
Temperature records were observed to vary slightly dependingon the location of the synoptic station as presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Maximum and Minimum Temperature of Synoptic
Stations
Synoptic Station

Maximum Range (oC)

Minimum Range (oC)

TamaleNyankpala
Navrongo
Bawku (Manga)

15.35 – 23.49
14.27 – 22.35
21.85 – 23.7
18.41 – 37.79

22.7 – 34.97
21.64 – 34.64
33.89 – 42.29
15.50 – 23.22

With these temperature ranges and rainfall amounts, potential evapotranspiration 181.44 mm was recorded for Tamale
whilst Navrongo recorded potential evapotranspiration of
197.56 mm for 48 years as averages.
Discussions
McGregor and Nieuwolt (1998) reported that annual rainfall
totals for many tropical regions revealed clear year to year
variations of rainfall. Generally variability decreases withincreasing rainfall, but there are many exceptions to this rulein the tropics. Usually tropical rains are highly spatially varied
as well as temporally variable. Rainfall variability is generally
found to be higher in the semi-arid regions than in the humid
tropics (Lal, 1987).
Several reports released by researchers on the variabilityof rainfall have it that the coefficient of variability in Africa
to the Southern part of the Sahara is about 22.5 % at 500 mm
31

F

ABSTRACTS

Risk Assessment of Extreme Weather Eventsand 15 % at 1000 mm annual rainfall (Cochéme and Franquin,1967). Le Houerou and Popov (1981) reported that, variability
increases from 10 – 15 % in the rainforest region to more than
50 % in the desert in tropical Africa.
Temperatures in Northern Ghana are consistently high withsmall seasonal variations. Average annual temperatures increase
from south to north alongside an increase in solar radiation, anda decrease in annual rainfall (Gariba, 2001). High temperatures
correlate with high evapotranspiration and direct evaporation.
Northern region evapotranspiration as established by Kranjac-Berisavljevic’ (1998) is 2,000 mm. This is accompanied withthe annual rainfall of about 1,000 – 1,300 mm.
Conclusions
The paper assesses the variability of rainfall in four locationsin the Guninea and Sudan Savannah areas of Northern Ghana. Rainfall and temperature were observed to vary widely
depending on the location of the station and this impacted
largely on activities of farmers in the areas.
References• Ayoade, J. O. (1993). Introduction to Climatology for the Tropics;
Spectrum Books Limited, Sunshine.
• Gariba A. A. (2001). Monitoring Rainfall Amounts at Nyankpala- Analyses of Historical Data for the past 30 years, University for
Development Studies, Tamale (Unpublished).

Abstract
The semi-arid regions are vulnerable against both flood anddraught, but rain-gauge observations are generally sparseand radar observation is fur before implementation in many
countries. Thus, the use of satellite derived precipitation data
has potential to serve as a mighty tool to detect rather rare
precipitation in semi-arid regions which may cause hydrologicalhazards or bring hydrological benefit. The performance of satellite derived precipitation in semi-arid regions, however, has not
yet well examined. According to our preliminary investigationin sub-Saharan sites, the ground measured precipitation issmaller than those retrieved from satellite observation. The
underestimation is postulated as that caused by the evaporationof hydro-nuclei before they reach to the ground. Toward thepractical use of GSMaP data in sub-Saharan environment westarted a comparative study of satellite derived precipitation
with ground based observation. The precipitation data fromsome Ghanaian, Nigerian and Namibian sites are collected andcompared with GSMaP data with different spatial and temporalscales and the statistical behavior are examined.

B4
Modeling flood hazard
zones at sub-district levelwith the rational model
integrated with GIS andRemote Sensing approaches• Kranjac – Berisavljevic’, G. (1998). Recent Climatic Trends inNorthern Interior Savannah Zone of Ghana: Implications for
Agricultural Production.
• Le Houerou, H.N. and Popov, G.F. (1981). An EcoclimaticClassification of Inter-Tropical Africa, FAO, Rome, 40 pp.
• Lal, R. (1987). Tropical Ecology and Physical Edaphology, John Wileyand Sons• Cocheme, J. and Franquin, P. (1967). An Agro-Climatological Surveyof a Semi-arid area in Africa South of the Sahara, WMO Tech. Note
No. 26, 136 pp. Ltd, Chichester, UK.
• McGregor G. R. and Nieuwolt S. (1998). Tropical Climatology 2nd Edition.

Asare-Kyei, D.K1.

B3
Comparison of GSMaP
mvk data with surface dataat semi-arid regions in
AfricaHirohiko Ishikawa1#, Weiqiang Ma1,2,
Ayilari-Naa A. Juati3, Samuel Owusu Ansah3
Kyoto University, Japan
Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering
Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
3
CGhana Meteorological Agency, Ghana# Corresponding author: ishikawa@storm.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp1232

United Nations University, Institute for Environment andHuman Security (UNU-EHS), UN Campus,
Hermann-Ehlers-Street, 10, 53113 Bonn, Germany
Email: asare-kyei@ehs.unu.edu

1

Telephone: +49 176 847 68 002

Abstract
Ghana ranks high amongst African countries most exposed torisks from multiple natural hazards. In the Northern Savanna
belt, high variability in climate and hydrological flows make thearea highly exposed to extreme natural hazards. From 2007
to 2013, there have been consecutive flood events with severe
livelihood impacts and food insecurity. This phenomenon is
projected to rise under climate change. Robust risk assessment
requires accurate flood intensity area mapping to allow for
the identification of populations and elements at risk and theretrieval of socio-ecological indicators needed to describe thevulnerability of exposed populations. However, to date no
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

attempt has been made to delineate the spatial limits of floodprone areas in the Savanna belt at a fine scale. Researchers haverelied on global datasets whose resolutions are too course to be
relevant for local scale risk assessment whilst disaster managers
are using traditional methods such as watermarks on buildings
and media reports to identify flood hazard areas. In this study,
remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS)
techniques are combined with a hydrological model to identify
and map flood causal factors and subsequently delineate thespatial limits of flood hazard zones at the sub-district level in
Bolgatanga and Bongo districts in the Upper East region of
Ghana. As a first principle, the approach involves estimating
total run-off (discharge) concentrations at different elevations
and then determining the relative contributions of each causal
factor - land cover, soil type and structure, geology, Digital Elevation Model, precipitation - to historical flood events and thenweighting the causal factors before using statistical methods tostandardize them. The identified spatial boundaries of different
flood intensity classes at 30m resolution will be highly usefulfor disaster managers to help reduce the risk to flood at thecommunity level where risk outcomes are first materialized.

B5
Validating GSMaP satellite
rainfall data with insitu data to facilitate theimprovement of algorithms
for rainfall estimation
using satellite imagery for
Ghana
Hirohiko Ishikawa1, Ayilari-Naa Juati2,
Kenichiro Kobayashie3, Samuel Owusu Ansah4,Peter Nunepkepku5,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic5
Professor, Dr. Sci., Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto University, JAPAN
2
Director, Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA
3
Associate Professor, Dr. Eng., Dr. -Ing., Research Center for
Urban Safety and Security, Kobe University
Rokkodai-machi 1-1, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 652-8501, JAPANkkobayashi@phoenix.kobe-u.ac.jp
4,5
Samuel Owusu Ansah, Research Officers, Ghana
Meteorological Agency, GHANA
6
Professor, University for Development Studies, GHANA
1

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

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Abstract
This research attempts to validate rainfall estimates from GSMAP satellite data using in situ observations from the Ghana
Meteorological Agency. The estimated rainfall from GSMaPis put into various grids and this is used to compare with theestimated GSMaP rainfall to enable the best grid to be chosen
and facilitate the algorithm to be appropriately modified so that
GSMaP satellite estimated rainfall can be used in any location in
Ghana where there is no Meteorological observational network.
Keywords: GSMap, Algorithms, satellite

B6
Numerical weather
prediction trial: theweather research andforecasting (WRF) model
Hirohiko Ishikawa1, Ayilari-Naa Juati2,
Samuel Owusu Ansah3, Peter Nunepkepku4,
Kenichiro Kobayashi5,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic7
Professor, Dr. Sci., Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto University, JAPAN
2
Director, Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA
2,3,4
Researchers, Ghana Meteorological Agency
5
Associate Professor, Dr. Eng., Dr. -Ing., Research Center for
Urban Safety and Security, Kobe University
Rokkodai-machi 1-1, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 652-8501, JAPANkkobayashi@phoenix.kobe-u.ac.jp
6Professor, University for Development Studies, GHANA
1

Abstract
This paper presents an attempt to use the WRF model as an
early warning tool over the CECAR project site. It also seeks
to compare our local WRF model output with the GSMaP realtime output data using GFS GRIB2 6 hourly forecast dataset
as input data. The generated local WRF output data is fromthree nested domains with the outermost domain being Africa,
next West Africa then Ghana respectively. The flooding anddrought situation caused by the variable climatic conditions
over the study site is what the model seeks to address andanalyze in this paper.

33

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ABSTRACTS

Risk Assessment of Extreme Weather Events

B7

B8

Analysis of climate
extremes in northern
Ghana

Development ofa Volta-river catchment
flood model

Ayilari-Naa Juati1, Hirohiko Ishikawa2,
Charles Yorke3, Samuel Owusu Ansah4,Peter Nunepkepku5, Kenichiro Kobayashie6,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic7
Researcher, Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA
Professor, Dr. Sci., Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto University, JAPAN
3,4,5
Research Officers, Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA
6
Associate Professor, Dr. Eng., Dr. -Ing., Research Center for
Urban Safety and Security, Kobe University
Rokkodai-machi 1-1, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 652-8501, JAPANkkobayashi@phoenix.kobe-u.ac.jp
7
Professor, University for Development Studies, GHANA

Kenichiro Kobayashi1, Akihiko Kotera2,
Keisuke Kimura3, Taku Notoya3, Tomoki Kiriyama3,
Masanori Inoue3, Nobuhiko Sawai4,
Hirohiko Ishikawa5, Ayilari-Naa Juati6,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic7

12

Abstract
This research delves into an analysis of climate extremes inNorthern Ghana centering on rainfall, Maximum and Minimum Temperature. It seeks to underscore or validate the IPCC
downscaled information on Temperature and Rainfall in the
Sudan and Guinea Savannah which lie in the Semi-Arid regionof Africa, which is within the scope of the CECAR Africa project.
The World Meteorological- recommended RClimdex under
the R software environment is used for this study. The study
area includes all the Synoptic areas in Northern Ghana whichhave daily data spanning a period of more than thirty years.
This analysis will not only help to protects livelihoods but
also inform decision makers and planners on diversificationin agricultural activities over Northern Ghana.
Keywords: Climate Extremes, IPCC, Semi-Arid, RClimdex, R Software.

34

Associate Professor, Dr. Eng., Dr. -Ing., Research Center for
Urban Safety and Security, Kobe University
Rokkodai-machi 1-1, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 652-8501, JAPANkkobayashi@phoenix.kobe-u.ac.jp

1

Dr. Agr., Faculty of Agriculture, Kobe University, JAPANStudent, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil
Engineering, Kobe University, JAPAN
4
Researcher, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., JAPAN5
Professor, Dr. Sci., Disaster Prevention Research Institute,
Kyoto University, JAPAN
6
Officer, Ghana Meteorological Agency, GHANA
7
Professor, University for Development Studies, GHANA
2
3

Abstract
This paper presents an attempt to make a large scale Volta rivercatchment flood model. A distributed rainfall-runoff/flood-inundation (DRR/FI) model is applied for the flood simulation.
DRR/FI model simulates the inland water movement with ashallow water equation and the river flow with a St-Venant
equation. USGS HydroShed is used for the topography data
(elevation, river channel) of the DRR/FI model. The simulated
discharge is compared with the Discharge data (daily/monthly
discharge) from Global Runoff Data Center (GRDC). Likewise,
the simulated inundation is compared with MODIS satellite
image. JAXA GSMAP, a satellite rainfall data, as input to DRR/
FI is the driving force of the flood propagation. The flood eventin 2007 of the catchment is targeted. The paper summarizes
these results.

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

B

C

D

E

B9

B10

Estimation of theamount of surface runoff
contributed from SissilyKulpawn catchment
within Ghana-Burkina
Faso border using Curve
Number (CN) method

Rainfall changes in thesavannah zone of northern
Ghana 1961–2010

Gandaa Z. B, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Email:zinzoola@yahoo.com

Hydrological measurements are essential for the interpretationof water quality, water resource management for irrigation andsoil and water conservation structures. Variations in hydrological conditions have important effects on water availability andquality. In rivers, the discharge, velocity of flow, turbulence,
depth and water quality is influence by landuse and soil characteristics of the catchment.
The River Sissili, a tributary of the Volta River has a large
drainage stretching from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast andBenin to Ghana. The River Kulpawn, another tributary of theRiver Volta, springs in Ghana, near Burkina Faso border and has
a smaller catchment area. The two rivers meet around Yagaba
in the Mamprugu-Moadugu District. The confluence of theserivers is found in the fertile plain, where extensive cowpea
cultivation is carried out on residual moisture. Subsistence
rainfed agriculture is the main occupation of the inhabitantin the basin. These agricultural activities normally extended
into the river bed, especially in dry years. As a result, the River
Kulpawn usually dries-up, forming strings of pools during thedry season.
The secondary data on rainfall of the catchment area of thetwo river basins is used in the estimation of the runoff from thecatchment of these streams, using CN (Curve Number) method.
Also available are soil and landuse maps of the catchment whichwere delineated using with the help of a geographical position
system (GPS), to obtain the various extent of the catchment
characteristics.
Estimation of the runoff will enable the designing and construction of water harvesting structures that will not only help
conserve and maintain soil moisture, but also store water for
supplementary irrigation. The contamination of the water fromthis important tributary of the River Volta will also be reduced.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Dr. Kwadwo Owusu
Climate Change and Sustainable Development Programme,
University of Ghana
P. O. Box LG59, Legon, GHANA
Tel. +233267528993 Email:kowusu1@gmail.com

Abstract
This study analyzed the rainfall trends of Northern Ghana todetermine any significant changes in rainfall in the last two
decade as reported elsewhere in the Savanna zone of West Africa. The objective of the study was to determine any significant
changes that may have occurred in the annual rainfall totals
post 2000. Agricultural decision making and water resourcesmanagement in the Savannah Zone depend heavily on rainfall
recharges. Rainfall data from Tamale, Yendi, Naworongo and Wa
stations for the period 1961-2010 were used for this analysis.
Evidence from the long-term rainfall data for the Savannazone of northern Ghana indicates that rainfall in the last two
decades entered into a phase of slight increased compared tothe previous two decades. A station by station analysis however
indicates that not all station have sustained recovery. Even
though the decade of 2001 to 2010 recovered from the 1980
to 2000 period, the post 2000 rainfall has still not reached thelevels of the 1960s. Compared to the 1970 and 1980 decades therainfall situation in the last two decades could be described as
an improvement. Hydrological levels may have seen recharges
that could be harnessed to support the rain-fed agriculture thatis the main stay of the savanna economy. Proper selections ofcrop varieties could also be useful in improving productivity
and improve livelihood.

35

FThursday 7 th August 2014
8:00 – 12:00

ABSTRACTS

SESSIONC1 » 10C

Coping and Adaptation
Strategies;
Knowledge Innovation
An assessment of rainfall variability under rain fed agriculture: perspectives from local
knowledge systems and planning for community resilience in north-western Ghana38
Role of agricultural land use and farm management practices for food security and climatechange adaptation in semi-arid region of Ghana38
Community boundary and asset mapping: strategy for effective resource management incontext of climate change adaptation
39
Vulnerability of settled Fulani pastoralists to climate change and emerging innovations foradaptation in southwest Nigeria
39
Estimating surface water runoff using Curve Number (CN) method and its effect on crop
cultivation in the Bontanse basin 
40Micro-level farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change in the semi-arid tropics in Tolon
district, Ghana
41
Ecosystem services assessment using a stakeholder-based approach: cases of Bolgatanga
and Bongo districts in the Upper East region, Ghana
41
Farmer innovation and household resilience to climate shocks: insights from north-east Ghana42
Towards climate change adaptation modeling: lessons from farmer responses to environmental
changes in Ghana44
Use of organic waste in urban horticulture - innovations and opportunities to increase
agricultural resilience in Tamale metropolis, Ghana
44

ABSTRACTS

Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation

C1
An assessment of rainfall
variability under rain fed
agriculture: perspectives
from local knowledge
systems and planning forcommunity resilience innorth-western Ghana*Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile1, Dramani File2
Department of Planning and Management, Faculty ofPlanning and Land Management,University for Development
Studies, P.O.Box UPW 3, Wa Campus, Wa UWR, Ghana*E-mail: derbile_uds@hotmail.com; ekderbile@hotmail.com
Telephone: +233-244516896
1/2This paper assesses rainfall variability from the perspectives of
local people and their local knowledge systems in the context ofrain fed agriculture in the Sissala East District, north-western
Ghana. Qualitative methods of data collection, specifically,
in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and seasonal
mapping and analysis were employed for data collection andin- depth analysis of rainfall variability. The results showthat rainfall patterns associated with four- main traditionalclassifications of the stages of the rainfall season have changed
over time, at least over three generations and vary significantly
between patterns in the past (grandparents era) and present
patterns(Children’s era). Identifying these seasons, in the local
parlance, as Duonpuso/Chankpaama, Kuduriduon, Vibiiri/Vu
Duon and Wawajen/Gbanchan Duon, the paper observes thatrainfall patterns across these four stages in the rainfall season
were fairly stable and predictable in the past, dating back to
grandparents era, compared with rainfall patterns in contemporary times. Unlike the grandparents’ era, rainfall patterns
are now characterized by extreme variability, uncertainty,change and unpredictability with dire consequences for rain fed
agriculture. The changes in rainfall patterns include variability
and uncertainty in the start and end times, delayed onset ofthe rainy season in most times, reduction in rainfall season
and number of rainy days, variability in rainfall distribution
and virtual disappearance of some locally classified stagesof the rainfall season. To enhance community resilience torainfall variability, this paper advocates a composite approachto Climate Change Adaptation Planning (CCAP) throughDistrict Development Planning (DDP) that emphasizes the
localization of local knowledge systems for adaptation within
the context of two policy frameworks – decentralization and38

local governance and the National Climate Change Adaptation
Policy Framework.
Keywords: Rainfall Variability, Agriculture, Local Knowledge, Resilience,
Climate Change Adaptation Planning (CCAP).

C2
Role of agricultural land
use and farm management
practices for food security
and climate change
adaptation in semi-arid
region of Ghana
Antwi Effah Kwabena*, John Boakye-Danquah,
Kwabena Awere-Gyekye, Owusu Barima,
Gerald A. B. Yiran, Kofi Abekoe
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan*Email: antwi@unu.edu Tel: +81-08013333743.

Abstract
In Northern Ghana, demographic changes along with unsustainable agricultural land management practices have affected
the ecological integrity of existing agro-ecological systems.
Coupled with climate change, farming systems have come underincreased pressure. Over the years, farmers have responded
to these changes by varying land use and farm management
practices. This study examines agricultural land use patterns,changing farm management practices and their implications
for food security and climate change adaptation. Farmers(125) across six communities in the Tolon district of Northern Ghana were selected and interviewed face to face on theirfarms. The survey was conducted at the beginning of farming
season and a follow up survey was done during the harvest
period. Observations were done through transect walks inboth farmlands and the entire landscapes accompanied by key
informant interviews with village heads. The results of the study
showed that, across the landscapes in all communities, there ishardly any unused land as all lands have been converted into
agricultural use except patches of protected groves and formerly
abandoned farmlands. A defining feature of agriculture land
use is the maintenance of dual farming systems; one close to
the compound and far from the compound. While compound
farms are mostly planted with maize, the diversity of cropping
patterns and management practices in bush farms are highlyvariable and complex, and these depend on the crop type andInternational Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

resources available to the farmer. The most predominant farmmanagement practice observed were chemical fertilizer use,
pesticides, manure application, ploughing, insitu weed turningand mixed cropping; and crop rotation. On the other hand,residue retention, mulch, compost and fallow were the least
farm management practice observed. Increasing frequencyof droughts periods, low input addition particularly chemicalfertilizer, abandoning of farmlands due to nutrients exhaustionand high youth migration are the main constraint to farm
productivity and crop yield. Farmer’s adaptation response to
drought induced climate change is low and this may affect foodsecurity in the regions. Stakeholder intervention options particularly in soil management and use of improved crop varieties
is recommended. There are opportunities to adapt cost effective
and locally appropriate soil and water conservation properties
tried and tested elsewhere in semi-arid parts of West Africa.

C3
Community boundary andasset mapping: strategy
for effective resource
management in context ofclimate change adaptation
Antwi Effah Kwabena*, John Boakye-Danquah,
Gerald A. B. Yiran, Sosthenes Kufobge,
Owusu Barima
IR3S, The University of Tokyo, Japan*Email: antwi@unu.edu Tel: 08013333743.

Abstract
Overdependence on direct and indirect ecological services forfood and income continue to grow in most rural communities
across the globe. In Northern Ghana, a predominantly rural
region, communities use and maintain important ecologicallandscapes vital for supporting livelihoods, food and income.
However, these resources are often shared and therefore cut
across different communities whose boundaries may be indeterminate. Hence, in such communities with a history ofintertribal conflicts over land and other natural resources, it
is important that not only is there a clear cut understandingof the stock of existing ecological resources within specificcommunities but also resources that may be shared. This has
become particularly important as climate change along withdemographic changes present a major challenge to the management and utilization of already stressed ecological services.
Using drought prone agricultural dependent communities in
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

the Tolon District of Northern Ghana as case study, the study
seeks to identify and map key socio-ecological resources owned
and shared by communities as well as the governance pertaining
to the management of these resources including how conflicts
over shared resources are resolved. Data utilized were mainlyin the form of rural participatory approaches such as grouptransect walks, focus group discussions, and key informant
interviews. In addition key informant asset mapping aided
the use of GPS for tracking and mapping community assets
and boundary in GIS interphase. The results show that, acrossthe communities, the key shared resources identified included
dams or water systems, land, trees (mostly economic trees),and forest/groves. Incidence of previous conflicts was reported
over access to shared economic trees such as dawadawa andShea, farmlands including river valleys. Unless a resource
provided by an external agency where village committees
are formed to manage such resources, the management oflocally owned and shared resources are under the control of
traditional heads through enforcement of taboos, practices
and conventions. Also, while informants generally indicatedthey knew the boundaries of their communities through theuse of important land marks or resources, they recognized
the limits and unreliability of these methods and therefore
affirmed their support for formalization of these boundaries
through proper documentation. By comparing the individual
community boundary delineation, the community boundary
maps showed overlaps between lands claimed by different
communities. The study concludes that, the continued use of
traditional boundary delineation could be a source of future
conflicts over stressed resources particularly in an era of climatechange. There is therefore the need for the formalization of theownership and status of intercommunity boundary and sharedresources respectively. This is essential for future resource
management and to enable external agencies or stakeholders
plan especially in times of disaster management.

C4
Vulnerability of settled
Fulani pastoralists to climatechange and emerging
innovations for adaptation
in southwest Nigeria
Fabusoro, E., †Sodiya, C. I., ††Fasona, M., †Oyedepo, J.,
Fapojuwo, E. O., †Alarima, C. I.

††

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Email: efabusoro@gmail.com
†

††

39

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ABSTRACTS

Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation

Abstract
Settled Fulani pastoralists contribute significantly to local
and national food security in Nigeria and the West African
region. However, their livelihood is constrained by inadequate
forage pasture and water, exacerbated by climate change. This
study identified important climatic factors to pastoralists andtheir variability; assessed vulnerability to climate change andexamined emerging innovations for livelihoods adaptation
among settled agro-pastoralists in Ogun and Oyo States,
Nigeria. Personalised interviews and focus group discussions
were conducted for household level data collection. Vulnerability, as a funtion of exposure, sensitivity and resilience wasscaled on a 3-point rating scale of ‘not vulnerable, vunerable
and highly vulnerable’. Time-series NDVI data were analyzed
for annual, seasonal, and decadal averages and anomalies.
Vulnerability index ranged from 0.45-0.9; majority (57.7%)
fell in the ‘vulnerable’ category. The mean monthly rainfall
has been increasing by 6.5mm/month/decade from 1982 to2010. The temperature has been rising at about 0.4oC/month/decade. For most of the years up to 2001, both average rainfall
and temperature are below normal by between 1∂ and 2∂. The
standard rainfall anomalies also show that rainfall is not fairly
distributed across the seasons. The average seasonal NDVI from1982-2009 shows that for four seasons was not significantly
different. The highest seasonal correlations obtained between
NDVI and precipitation and temperature in the Dec-Jan-Febof the decades 2000s, are 0.355 and -0.323 for rainfall andtemperature respectively. While rising and fairly distributed
rainfall is preferred, increased warming implies more evaporation and evapo-transpiration with no substantial positive effecton the growth of forests and woodlands. Therefore, additional
water need created by higher temperatures were not be met by
the increase in rainfall, implying pastoralists’ vulnerability to
climate variability. Coordinated efforts at increasing pastoralists’ adaptive capacity and building long-term mitigations will
reduce climate impact on pastoral livelihoods in the region.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Eniola Fabusoro, Departmentof Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal
University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria;
efabusoro@gmail.com; 234-8034046179

40

C5
Estimating surface waterrunoff using Curve Number(CN) method and its effecton crop cultivation in the
Bontanse basin
Gandaa Z. B., G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Shaibu A-G
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Email:zinzoola@yahoo.com

The River Bontanse, a perennial stream drains communities
in Tolon and Kumbungu Districts in Northern Ghana which
include Voggu, Dalun, Kumbungu, Wuba and Kpalisogu. The
basin covers about 2085 sq km and is located in a droughtprone area of very unreliable rainfall pattern. Annual dry spells
during the raining season is very common which results inannual crop failure in most farmers’ fields.
River Bontanse, however, takes of its source from Tolon
highlands and drains down to Bontanga where, it is dammed
for irrigation at the Bontanga Irrigation Project (BIP).
BIP has a potential of 800ha of irrigable area, of which only
434ha is currently developed and under cultivation. The major
crop cultivated both in dry and raining season at BIP is rice. The
World Bank recently sponsored the rehabilitation of irrigation
infrastructure at BIP under the Millennium Challenge Compact(MCC), a programme designed to help reduce rural poverty in
Ghana through targeted agriculture. The Bontanga reservoir
also serves as a source of livelihood for migrant fishermen.
The inhabitants cultivate cereal crops in the BIP watershed;
they are mostly subsistence farmers who depend on family
lands. Fragmentation of these farm lands has resulted in an
average household of 7 people possessing only 2.5 acres ofland (1ha). Increase in landuse (mainly homesteads and poor
tillage practices) in the basin has partially silted Bontanseand has affected the supply of water from surface runoff to
the river, dugouts, wells, small scale dams in the study area
as well as the dam reservoir at BIP. The increased number ofdugouts and small scale dams in the catchment serve as sinks
which also affects the reservoir of BIP negatively, especiallyin dry years.
The over 45years rainfall and other climatic data are available
for computing estimates of runoff. Soil and landuse maps with
topographical sheets were used to delineate the basin with thehelp of a geographical position system (GPS). The areal extent
of the various catchment characteristics was obtained. These
parameters are relevant in the estimation of surface runoff
using curve number (CN) method.
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

Estimation of the runoff will enable the designing andconstruction of soil and water conservation structures to help
reduce the effect of rainfall variability on crop production in
the basin. The study will also help to introduce measures toreduce contamination and siltation of the water in the reservoir.

C6
Micro-level farmers’
adaptation strategies toclimate change in thesemi-arid tropics in Tolon
district, Ghana*Geetha Mohan1, Hirotaka Matsuda2,
Samuel A. Donkoh3, Adelina Mensah4, Victor Lolig3
IR3S, The University of Tokyo,
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
3
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, University
for Development Studies
4
University of Ghana, Legon
Email: geetha@ir3s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
12

Abstract
Climate change is a big challenge to the agricultural sector ofsemi-arid tropical regions, especially for those who depend on
this sector directly and indirectly. Agriculture in most sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana is rain fed, and thismakes it even more susceptible to climate variations. Therefore,
the farmers are enforced to adopt the necessary adaptation
measures in order to subsist. In this paper, we have examined
the farmers’ adaptation strategies to mitigate the effect ofclimate change, perceptions of the causes of climate change,
and the factors that influenced the adoption measures. A crosssectional household survey was conducted in six different
communities: Cheshegu, Daboshie, Fihini, Kpalgun, Zagua,
Yoggu in Tolon district in August 2013 with a sample of 150
compound houses. Both qualitative and quantitative methods,
including the estimation of a multinomial probit model, were
employed in analyzing the data. In the view of the farmers
religious (e.g. anger on the part of the gods and ancestors) andenvironmental factors (e.g. deforestation) were the main causesof climate change. The major adaptation measures also included
the adoption of drought resistant crop varieties, organic andinorganic fertilizer application, improved cropping techniques
and agriculture and climate-related extension services. The
main factors that influenced the adoption of the measures
were level of education, age of the farmer, inputs accessibility
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

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E

and communication. The key policy implications should include making drought resistant varieties and fertilizers more
affordable and increasing access to extension services as wellas weather/climate information.
Keywords: adaptation strategies, perceptions, climate change, probit
model, Ghana

C7
Ecosystem services
assessment using a
stakeholder-based
approach: cases of
Bolgatanga and Bongo
districts in the Upper East
region, Ghana
Hongmi Koo*, Christine FÜRst
Center for Development Research (ZEF), University ofBonn, Germany
Email: hongmi.koo@gmail.com
Tel: +4915785940077

Abstract
The evaluation of the ecosystem services becomes a means ofproviding an integrated perspective to gauge the effects of land
use in a certain environmental condition. The Northern regionof Ghana confronted with unfavorable climate conditions andsocio-economic situations experiences a wide range of land
use changes that affect directly and indirectly the ecosystemservices. Thus, identifying the states of the ecosystem services
helps to diagnose the agricultural land uses in this region.
This research aims to suggest a stakeholder-based assessment
framework for estimating the potential capacity of land use
to provide the ecosystem services in Bolgatanga and Bongo
districts of the Upper East Region in Ghana. The agriculturalextension officers generally called as field officers are the stakeholders in this research, who are charged in offering technicaladvice and introducing new technologies to farmers while
monitoring and reporting the performances of the farming
systems. Using a participatory process with the field officers,
the types of the ecosystem services to interpret the regionallyspecific effects of farming and the impacts of the land use
types on the ecosystem services are determined. The different
values of the land use types on the ecosystem services areelaborated between 0 and 100 through standardization. Then,
41

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ABSTRACTS

Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation

the GISCAME platform is used to visualize the impacts of thedifferent land use types on the provision of the ecosystemservices, which shows higher or lower states of them based on
the current land use patterns. The results of this research canprovide a framework to understand the responses of ecosystems
to human activities such as agricultural land use practices andsupport decision making processes of the stakeholders in orderto maintain or improve the ecosystem services.

C8
Farmer innovation andhousehold resilience toclimate shocks: insightsfrom north-east Ghana
Justice A. Tambo, Tobias Wünscher
Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn,
Germany
Email:tambojustice@yahoo.com

Introduction
North-east Ghana is characterized by frequent droughts andfloods which adversely affect farming, the primary source of
livelihood for majority of the households in the region. Given
the rapidly changing climate, these adverse shocks are expected
to become more pervasive. Resilience building is, therefore,
necessary for farm households to be able to withstand any
future climatic shocks. Over the years, there has been increased
development and diffusion of technological innovations tofarmers, and there are several projects and policy interventions
facilitating the adoption of these introduced innovations.
With the rapidly changing economic environments, however,
local farmers do not only adopt but also generate innovations(Sanginga et al. 2008; Conway and Wilson 2012). They engage
in informal experimentation, develop new technologies andmodify or adapt external innovations to suit their local environments, and these practices (which are commonly referred
to as farmer innovation) are claimed to play an importantrole in building their resilience to changing environments andaddressing food insecurity challenges (Rej and Waters-Bayer
2001; Kummer et al. 2012). The aim of this paper is to assess
the contribution of farmer innovation in building household
resilience to climate shocks.
Methods
In measuring resilience to climate shocks, we adapted theresilience tool proposed by FAO (2010). This tool was originally designed to measure resilience to food insecurity, but
42

it can serve as a useful framework for analysing households’
capacity to absorb negative unpredictable shocks and stresses
such as climate change. The advantage of this tool is that it
considers short term actions that help households to cope incase of shocks but also long term actions which contribute toresilience building over time FAO (2010). The resilience toolconsists of six components: income and food access, accessto basic services, safety nets, assets, adaptive capacity andstability. Each of the six components has a specific set ofindicators which can confer resilience. Household-level dataon these indicators were obtained from the field survey. Two
indices were then developed from these indicators using equal
and unequal weighting approaches. We expect farmer innovation to contribute to household resilience mainly throughthe income and food access, assets, adaptive capacity, andstability components.
To estimate the effect of farmer innovation on household
resilience to climate shocks, we use the endogenous switching regression (ESR) technique which account for potential
non-random selection bias of innovation decision. The coefficients from the ESR model was used to derive the expectedvalues of household resilience scores, which were then used inestimating the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT)and the average treatment effect on the untreated (ATU). The
ATT compares the resilience score of innovators with andwithout innovation while the ATU compares the resilience
score of the non-innovators with and without innovation.
The empirical analysis is based on data for the 2011-2012
agricultural season obtained from a household survey conducted in Bongo, Kassena Nankana East (KNE) and Kassena
Nankana West (KNW) districts in the Upper East Region of
Ghana. Overall, our sample consists of 409 farm households
randomly selected from the three districts.
Results
The results of the major components of the resilience framework using equal and unequal weighting of indicators approachare presented in Figures 1a and 1b, respectively. The two figures
show that the component score for innovators and non-innovators are almost similar irrespective of the weighting method
employed. Innovators and non-innovators have identical scoresin terms of access to basic services and stability but differ marginally with respect to safety nets and adaptive capacity. The
figures also indicate that households in the study region aremoderately resilient in terms of access to basic services, safety
nets, adaptive capacity and stability but weakly resilient withrespect to income and food access, and assets.
We show that the drivers of household resilience to climate
shocks are relatively similar, irrespective of the weighting
approach employed. Similar to Alinovi et al. (2010), we foundthat male-headed households are more resilient than female
headed-households, but the coefficients are only significant
for non-innovators. Dependency ratio and labour shock arenegatively associated with resilience in both innovation groups.
In contrast, wealth and access- related variables such as valueof household assets, livestock and land holdings, credit access,International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

(a)

S

0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

(b)

IFS

AC

ABS

S

SN

AC

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

C

D

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IFS

ABS

SN

A
Innovators

B

A
Non-­‐innovators

Innovators

Non-­‐innovators

Note: IFS=Income and Food Access; ABS=Access to Basic Services; SN=Safety Net; A=Assets; AC=Adaptive Capacity; S=Stability

Figure 1: Resilience by innovation groups using: (a) equal weights (b) unequal weights of indicatorsand group membership are positively linked with resilience inboth groups. Education also positively and significantly influences resilience, but it is only significant for innovators. The
results also show that climate shocks increase significantly withresilience. Thus, the more households experience shocks, themore resilience they become. This may suggest that households
learn from past experiences and build capacities to adapt tofuture shocks. We also found that that households located in
KNE and KNW districts are more resilient to climate shocks
than those in Bongo district.
The treatment effect results indicate that farmer innovation
significantly enhances innovative households’ resilience toclimate shocks. Using equal weighting of resilience indicators’
approach, we find that farmer innovation improves innovative
households’ resilience to climate shock by 47 percent. Similarly,
the result of the ATT using unequal weighting approach implies
that innovative households are about 12 percent more resilient
to climate shock than they would have been if they were not
to innovate. The large difference between the two ATT’s seems
to suggest that the equal weighting method of generating theresilience score leads to over-estimation of the resilience effectsof farmer innovation. Finally, the ATU results indicate that the
non-innovators decision not to innovate appear to be rationalas they would have been about 2-3 percent worse off in termsof resilience to climate shocks if they were to innovate.

and these innovations contribute significantly and positively
to enhancing households’ resilience to climate shocks in the
study region. Thus, our results strengthen arguments for bettersupport for farmer innovation as a complement to externallypromoted technologies.
References• Alinovi L, D’Errico M, Mane E, Romano D (2010): Livelihoods
strategies and Household Resilience to Food insecurity: An Empirical
Analysis to Kenya. Paper presented at the European Research forDevelopment Conference, 28-30 June 2013, Dakar, Senegal• Conway G, Wilson K (2012): One Billion Hungry: Can we Feed theWorld? Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York• FAO (2010): Measuring Resilience: A Concept Note on the Resilience
Tool. EC-FAO Programme on Linking Information and Decision
Making to Improve Food Security. Food and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations, Rome
• Kummer S, Milestad R, Leitgeb F, Vogl CR (2012): Building resiliencethrough farmers’ experiments in organic agriculture: Examples fromeastern Austria. Sustainable Agriculture Research 1:308-321• Reij C, Waters-Bayer A (eds.) (2001): Farmer innovation in Africa: asource of inspiration for agricultural development. Earthscan, London• Sanginga P, and Waters Bayer A, Kaaria S, Njuki J, Wettasinha
C (eds.) (2009): Innovation Africa: enriching farmers’ livelihoods.
Earthscan, London

Conclusion
We show in this paper that farm households go beyond adoption of externally-driven technologies to generate innovations,
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

43

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ABSTRACTS

Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation

C9
Towards climate change
adaptation modeling:lessons from farmer
responses to environmental
changes in Ghana
Edwin A. Gyasi*, Kwabena Awere Gyekye
University of Ghana
Department of Geography & Resource Development
P.O.BOX LG 59, Legon, Ghana, Legon
Email: edwin.gyasi@gmail.com

Abstract
Climate change appears to be a reality. Adaptation to it is a
critical issue because of the serious implications of climatechanges for livelihoods and the sustainability of human futures
the world-over. A possible approach to this issue, which thispaper explores with reference to Ghana, is to extrapolate
from empirical studies of actual local farmer responses toagro-environmental changes such as land degradation andclimate variability, for the purpose of long-term climate change
adaptive modeling. Concepts of risk, action-response, resilience,vulnerability and adaptive capacity feature centrally in thetheoretical framework for the steps towards the modeling ofadaptation to climate change.
To measure indigenous farmer responses to climate-agro-environmental changes, survey data collected from traditional
farmers were analyzed to answer the related research questions:(i) to what extent do farmers understand and respond to/support adaptation and mitigation actions, and (ii) do beliefs andconcerns about climate change influence those attitudes (iii)
What are the specific responses of famers to climate change
adaptation. Results indicated diverse opinion on climate change;
however, a greater percentage of farmers who were concerned
about the impacts of climate change on agriculture and attributed it to human-induced activities had more positive attitudes
toward both adaptive and mitigative management strategies.
Resilience assessment through careful ecosystem and livelihoods evaluation was carried out to identify key indicators thatbest define factors that determine farmers’ adaptation capacity
to climate change. Livelihood assets were noted to be of an influential and determining factor in farmers’ response to climatechange adaptation. It was observed that farmers response toenvironmental changes cut across soil and water conservation,
tree planting and traditional method of farming (proka); theseare seen as critical not only by way of improving upon fertility ofsoils, which has been the leading cause of decline in agricultural
44

productivity and deterioration factor of living conditions, butalso managing agricultural lands sustainably.
The study recommends the need to strengthen farmers’ capacities to plan and implement climate adaptation programmes
through community-based modeling.
Keywords: climate change, farmer response, livelihoods, sustainability,
adaptive modeling

C10
Use of organic waste
in urban horticulture- innovations andopportunities to increase
agricultural resilience inTamale metropolis, Ghana
Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G.1, Gandaa, B.Z.1
Email: novagordanak@gmail.com
1
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

Introduction
Tamale Metropolis is the largest urban centre in Northern
Ghana, enjoying rapid population growth (26% increase within
the past 10 years), which also results in large waste generation.
Some methods of re-using urban waste by local smallholder
farmers and urban unemployed youth include application of
faecal sludge to peri-urban farms and applying waste waterfrom open drains to vegetable crops. These products are soldon city’s local markets and health concerns related to bothproducers and consumers have generated a lot of attention
among different stakeholders.
Practices of waste recycling and use in farming, as appliedin Tamale, come as a result of challenges faced by urban andperi-urban famers in an adverse environment. Wisner et al(2004), for example, reports that the vulnerability of agriculture
is not determined by the nature and magnitude of environmental stress like climate change per se, but by the societal capacity
to cope with and/or recover from environmental change. Thisview is important in order to understand issues related to vulnerability of the urban and peri-urban farmers within Tamale.
Study Area Description
Tamale Metropolis is poorly endowed with water bodies. The
only natural water systems are streams, flowing only during
the rainy season. Aside this, some artificial dams and dug-outs
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

57

Crop farming

99

95

Livestock raising

96
108

B

C

D

E

Figure 1. Livelihood activities most vulnerable toclimate change (n=110, multiple responses)(Source: START Project household survey, 2012)

Sheabutter/dawadawa
availability
Hunting & trapping
Fishing

70
60

Figure 2. Responses to challenges of climate change andrapid urbanisation (n=110, multiple responses)(Source: START Project household survey, 2012)

64
58

59

50

50

44
38

40

30

30

20

20
10

1
0

Backyard gardening/ Cropping
compoundintensiﬁcation
farming

Intensive
livestockfarming

Agrodiversity
De-emphasis of(Diversiﬁcation farming in favourof agric)of other occupations

have been created. Two of such dams are notably, Builpela andLamashegu dams. There are about 91 dug-outs in total, dottedaround communities within the Metropolis. Where dug-outs
have been provided, they serve as watering points for animals,
as well as for domestic purposes. Many the dug-outs cannot be
used during the dry season, due to high evaporation rates andboth people and animals have to travel long distances searching
for water (http://ghanadistricts.com/districts/).
Urban and peri-urban farmers rely on rainfall for food production during the rainy season, and compete for other water
resources, such as dams, wells and wastewater from drains
during the dry season. Despite difficult conditions and limited
water availability, these farmers contribute significantly to thefood and nutritional requirements of the urban population.
Risks involved in urban and peri-urban farmingin TamaleSignificant farming activities in close proximity to rapid andpartly un-planned urban developments, alongside general
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Trading

Occupational
diversiﬁcation

Selling or
renting of landHouseholdrelocation/out-migrationlack of joint planning between institutions responsible forurban water treatments are characterising Tamale Metropolis.
These problems are acerbated by erratic rainfall and risingtemperatures, as well as other unfavorable climatic conditions,such as flush floods.
Uncertain climatic situation result in rainfall, which isincreasingly unreliable, and water in wells and dams and dugouts is reduced in quantity during dry season, due to higher
evaporation losses related to increased temperatures. These
climatic factors result in corresponding deterioration of urban and peri-urban agriculture. Farmers try to adapt to these
conditions by diversification and other response methods toreduce vulnerability of the framing practices.
Substantial risks involved in the urban farming activities
in Tamale, with obvious links drawn between cultivation ofrice for example, and increase in malaria incidence, or links
between wastewater vegetable irrigation and various communicable diseases.

45

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ABSTRACTS

Coping and Adaptation Strategies; Knowledge Innovation

Reasons for urban farming
University for Development Studies, a main institution ofhigher learning in the study area, has collaborated with manyorganisations to improve existing conditions experienced bysmall scale farmers, including partners such as CECAR Africa
Project, local NGOs (DeCo!), international research institutions (IWMI), WASH Alliance, RUAF (The Netherlands) and
UrbanFoodPlus Project (Germany-W. Africa).
Surveys of urban farming carried out in Tamale during START
Project (2011/12), as well as other research initiatives (WHO,2006, IWMI/KNUST, 2011, etc.) show the following results:
Figure 1 clearly shows that traditional activities typical forthe farming systems in Tamale area are in decline. Gathering
products from the wild (ex. dawadawa collection and processing) and hunting are directly affected by rapid urbanisation,
as well as climate changes.
Due to the shortage of land, crop farming as well as extensive
livestock rearing are also affected by these changes.
However, some opportunities for improvement under
the changing conditions are reckognized by the urban andperi-urban farmers in Tamale. Farmers see opportunities forcultivation of more resilient crops and rearing livestock as possibility to reduce vulnerability of their situation. They also see
present situation as motivation for agricultural diversificationand intensive agriculture.
Some innovations are also tested currently for wider use.
These include: use of urine for vegetable cultivation, co-composting of faecal sludge with other organic waste into safer
products, training programmes for urban farmers in handlingcompost made from organic waste and introduction of businessmodels for small-scale entrepreneurs engaged in collection andprocessing of waste.

References• IWMI Research Report 141, 2011. Amoah, P.; Keraita, B.; Akple, M.;
Drechsel, P.; Abaidoo, R. C.; Konradsen, F. 2011. Low-cost options
for reducing consumer health risks from farm to fork where crops
are irrigated with polluted water in West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka:
International Water Management Institute. 45p.. doi: 10.5337/2011.201• START Project, 2012: Knowledge Assessment on Climate change and
Urban Agriculture: The Case of Tamale, Ghana, unpublished survey,
UDS and UG.
• Tamale Metropolis, http://ghanadistricts.com/
districts/?news&r=6&_=80 downloaded May 12, 2014.
• WHO, 2006 Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta andgreywater; Volume 4: Excreta and greywater use in agriculture,
Geneva, Switzerland.
• Wisner, B., P. Blaikie, T. Cannon and I. Davis. 2004. At risk: natural
hazards; people’s vulnerability and disasters. 2nd Edition. London:
Routledge.

Conclusions• Rapid urbanisation and climatic risks directly impact livelihood of urban and peri-urban farmers in Tamale• Increasing incidence of drought and floods are symptomsof the climate risks.
• Urbanisation is adversely affecting traditional livelihoodforms, foremostly by destabilising land holding arrangements, especially of poor and other vulnerable groups• A number of benefits for enhancing livelihoods, food production and security are associated with urbanisation throughopportunities for land use intensification, waste recycling
and multiple use of water resources
Recommendations
Urban policy, planning and governance should be modified toaddress more both the positive and negative aspects of urbanisation and climate conditions and to increase both popular
resiliency and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers.
Acknowledgements
Grateful acknowledgements are due to all participants in the
2011/12 START household survey in Tamale, notably, Prof.
E.A. Gyasi, Dr. F. Obeng and Mr. I. Fuseini.
46

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

Thursday 7 th August 2014
8:00 – 12:00

ABSTRACTS

SESSIOND1 » 10D

Natural Resource Management
and Interventions
Transnational climate change resilience strategies for the sustainable landscape managementin the Blue Nile river basins: linking climate knowledge from semi-arid of East Africa 48
Women-farmers’ perceptions and adaptations to climate change and variability in thetransitional zone of Ghana: the case of Atuahenekrom in Sunyani Municipality
49
Green farming practice for climate change mitigation and adaptation: experience with usual
practice and vetiver technology
49
Non-timber forest products, climate change resilience and rural poverty alleviation in northern
Ghana51
Jatropha production in Malawi and Mozambique: delineating ecosystem services and humanwellbeing trade-offs
52
Changing diet to cope with climate change: exploring innovative pathways for developing
ready-to-eat millet products through integrated millet development initiative
53
The role and nature of trust in risk communication: insights from climate-induced risks prone
rural communities in Wa West district, Ghana53
Material flow analysis for Shea butter production systems and ecological sustainability in
Ghana: an exploratory study
54
Investigating the sensitivity of household food security to agriculture-related shocks and theimplication of informal social capital and natural resource capital: the case of rural households
in Mpumalanga, South Africa
54
Adaptive co-management of forest resources: a case of Takamaru-yama Sennen-no mori,
Tokushima, Japan
55

ABSTRACTS

D1

Natural Resource Management and Interventions(Presentation Cancelled)

Transnational climatechange resilience strategies
for the sustainable
landscape management in
the Blue Nile river basins:
linking climate knowledge
from semi-arid of East
AfricaCarlos. Pascual1, B. Zaitchik2, B. Semane3
Future University, Khartoum, Sudan
Email: cmpascual123@yahoo.com
2
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, USA
3
Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1

Abstract
The Blue Nile River is an important shared resource of semi-arid
countries in Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt of East Africa, which is
the major contributor of water to the main Nile River. To drive
economic development, the Ethiopian government plans toutilize Nile water resources for both irrigation and hydropower.
There is great uncertainty about the impacts of climate change
in the basin and there have been few systematic studies of thepossible implications for water resource development. Major
natural hazards such as flood, drought, sand storms and othercalamities that inflict loss of lives and costly damage to property
are always a threat in the Nile River Basins, and covering majorother areas in Sudan and other adjoining areas. Situated in thetropics, its climate ranges from arid in the north to tropical
wet-and-dry in the far southwest. Moreover, the Nile Basinareas inevitably suffer from climate-related calamities similar
to those experienced recently. With continued developmentin the lowlands and urban areas, and growing populations, it
is expected that damage to infrastructure and human losses
would persist and even rise unless appropriate measures are
immediately implemented by concerned agencies.
Coupled processes of low investment capacity and landdegradation currently drive a cycle of depressed agricultural
yields and persistent poverty through much of the Ethiopian
Highlands, including the Blue Nile (Abay River) headwaters(BNH) region and downstream areas of Sudan to link climate
knowledge from both countries toward food, water and energy
security. This cycle is reinforced by the dramatic interannual
climate variability observed in the transnational level. There48

is reason for concern that conditions will deteriorate in coming decades, given a changing climate that may bring more
frequent drought and more intense precipitation events to
the region. At the same time, land use pressures are expected
to increase due to rapid population growth across the BNRB.
However, the same coupling of natural and human systems
that currently reinforces poverty in this region also offers
opportunity. Vulnerability to climate change is a function ofadaptive capacity in the face of exposure to stress combinedwith physical and social sensitivity to exposure. Recognizing
this relationship, we propose to examine how climate variability
has impacted agroecosystems of the BNRB over the past 50
years, to project the risk of climate change impacts over the
next 50 years, and to evaluate how information on projectedrisk influences adaptation decisions across diverse communities
in both countries. Currently, climate variability reinforces thelink between inadequate investment and degradation andbetween degradation and low yields. Low capacity within theregion and inadequate access to external capital reinforce thelinks between low yields, poverty, and weak investment inagriculture and large-scale water resources development for
irrigation and hydropower energy. Climate change threatens toaccelerate this cycle, while ecosystem-based adaptation strategies offer an opportunity to slow and to reverse it. To provide
one relatively simple example of how the proposed couplingmight operate, consider the following scenario: climate change
leads to an increase in intense precipitation events and a rise ingrowing season temperatures. For agricultural communities,
the importance of these changes in climate will depend on levelsof exposure (local climate change patterns), sensitivity (impactsof change on crops, soils, and large-scale water infrastructure)
and adaptive capacity (wealth, access to markets, risk aversion,
food-water-energy nexus security) that, together, determine the
distribution of vulnerability across the BNRB: (Vulnerability =(adaptive capacity) – (sensitivity + exposure)). With respect todegradation, an increase in intense precipitation events mightlead to increased erosion for traditional cultivation practices
that rely on intensive tillage. Increased rates of erosion would
depress crop yields and also increase sediment flux into theBlue Nile. Reduced yields would amplify pressure to expand
cultivation into remaining forested zones and to intensify
cultivation on existing agricultural lands, which could lead tofurther land degradation. Increased sediment flux, meanwhile,would have a detrimental impact on downstream users (Sudan)of the Blue Nile. Timely identification of adaptive cropping
strategies and soil management options, in combination withvulnerability-reducing investments in large-scale water irrigation and hydropower, as well as forestation and diversified income streams, can plausibly counteract and even reverse these
impacts, provided that communities and outside development
actors have access to credible projections of relevant climate
risks on an adequate planning horizon. This paper presents
some initial research conducted to determine the impact ofclimate change scenarios using CMIP5 on the performance ofexisting and planned irrigation and hydropower schemes in
Ethiopia and the implications for flows into Sudan.
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

D2Women-farmers’
perceptions andadaptations to climatechange and variability
in the transitional zoneof Ghana: the case of
Atuahenekrom in Sunyani
Municipality
Faustina Essandoh-Yeddu
Department of Geography & Resource Development.
P.O. BOX LG 59, University of Ghana, Legon
Email: fessandoh@gmail.com
Telephone: 020-7397862

Abstract
Climate change and variability effects though location specific and disproportionately distributed have overall global
impact on food security, agricultural development, health,environmental sustainability and the general wellbeing of
man-kind. In Africa specifically Ghana, the impact of climate
are being observed in increases in atmospheric temperature,changes in rainfall patterns, occurrences of flood and risein sea level etc. Invariably the impact of climate change andvariability on women tend to be different from that of men
because the concerns and needs of women are different fromthat of men. Many studies revealed that variations in theeffects of these fluctuations may have gender disparities andwomen are identified to be severely affected by climate change
compared to men as many women are engaged in agriculture
than men. Further, socio-cultural and structural challenges
limit their access to productive resources/ opportunities forsustainable agriculture. The study was conducted to assess
the perception of women farmers on climate change on theiragricultural activities, the local adaptation strategies womenfarmers use to cope with climate change and variability in the
Atuahenekrom, in the Sunyani Municipality of Brong-Ahafo
part of the Forest-savanna transitional zone of Ghana. It examined women farmers’ understanding of climate variability
and changes, their perceptions of the change on agriculturalactivities, livelihoods and experiences as well as local strategies
in coping with these changes. Primary and Secondary data werecollected using questionnaires, interviews and literature materials. Data obtained from the quantitative were analyzed using
SPSS to establish distributions and relations existing between
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

measured variables, and the qualitative part were grouped
under thematic areas, coded with quotations and expressions
cited to support the quantitative analysis. The results obtained
indicated women farmers’ perception of climate change wasmainly linked to changes in temperature, rainfall, wind anddrought activities. Many of them attributed these changes
to the degradation of forest cover. The option of changing
crop varieties, alternative livelihood activities (for example:
off-farm, on-farm activities) and the use of agrochemicals
were some of the adaptive measure undertaken by some ofthese farmers. Majority of them attested to the increase inatmospheric temperature, the reduction in rainfall amountand intensities over the past decades. They further admitted
the lack of income and financial challenges to be the driving
forces for their dependency on rain-fed agriculture.
Keywords: Women-Farmers’ Perceptions, Adaptations, Climate Change
and Variability, Transitional Zone of Ghana

D3Green farming practice forclimate change mitigation
and adaptation: experience
with usual practice andvetiver technology
Effiom Oku
United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources inAfrica (UNU-INRA)
Private mail Bag: Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana.
International House, 2nd Floor, Annie Jiagge Road
University of Ghana Campus, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Email: oku@unu.edu

Introduction
Steep lands are not suitable for cultivation because it is difficult to retain soil on it once the natural vegetation is cleared(Oku et al, 2011). Despite this, a large extent of cultivatedarea in southeastern Nigeria has moderate to steep land. The
cultivation of steep land will not only continue, but will expand even in the future, according to Juo and Thurow (1998).
The challenge begins when a forest or vegetation covering
steep land is cleared and the slope is converted to farmland.
The natural forest functions and services are lost (Faust,2014); degradation process begins as the natural equilibrium
is disturbed. Soil, water, carbon, nitrogen and other plant
nutrient fluxes flows out of the system and are harvested off
49

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Natural Resource Management and Interventions

the farmers’ field through erosion (Oku and Aiyelari, 2014).
During erosion, carbon in the form of carbon dioxide andnitrogen as nitrous dioxide escapes from the soil and adds toatmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs). Uncontrolled erosion
erodes soil resilience to deal with climate and water crises
and leaves behind exhausted soil with low productivity andfertility and poor harvest. With climate change rainfall iseither low, inadequate with short dry spells within growing
season or very erosive washing away plants, soil and nutrientsfrom farmers’ fields. Climate change impact has manifested inpoor crop yield and harvest, low farmers’ income and poverty.
As climate change intensifies, steep land farmers’ challenges
will also increase. Reports from localities where steep land
cultivation is common in (developing countries) show that thesoil is getting “thinner”, stony and “tired” (Hellin, 2003) andyields are continuously declining. Yet farmers are not convincedthat their crop yields and farming practices can be resilient to
the impact of climate change, if they adopt smart and green
farming practice. An adoptable and diffusible soil and water
conservation technology needs to be smart and green, easy
to instruct resource poor farmers; with low implementationand maintenance cost. Smart technology will increase productivity and farmers’ income, enhanced resilience of livelihood,
reduce and remove greenhouse emissions from the atmosphere(FAO, nd). From on-farm studies the characteristics of smart
agriculture technology and more beneficial attributes were
found in Vetiver Technology (VT). The objective of this paper
is to share field experience when VT was compared with Usual
Practice (UP) in Southeastern Nigeria.
Material and methods
The on-farm study was conducted on a farmer’s field locatedon a 55 % slope in the southeastern region of Nigeria. (5º45 - 6º 30 N; 8º 00 - 9º 30 E). The rainy season here starts
from April, while the dry season commences from Octobereach year. The rainfall pattern is bi- modal with peaks in Juneand September. The annual rainfall of the area recorded overa fifty year period ranged from 2000 to 2250 mm (CRADP,
1992). The field plots were erosion plots with vetiver buffer
strips {Vetiver Technology (VT)}. Erosion plots are devices formeasuring runoff and soil loss from agricultural land (Biswas
and Mukherjee, 2005). Each erosion plot was 150 m2 (Hudson,1993) measured 50 m long and 3 m wide. Vetiver were planted
along the contour at different surface interval spacing; 5, 15,
25 m and fields without VT known as Usual practice {(FP) (control)}. All traditional farming practices such as pre-planting,planting and post-planting activities were done within thisspace. Maize and cassava (mixture) were planted on mounds
as practiced in the study area. Measurements were taken formaize grain and fresh cassava tuber yields. Daily rainfall at the
project site was taken. Water or rainfall and soil losses werecollected in the morning after previous day’s rain (Hudson,1993). Amount (mm) of water loss was estimated by dividing
the volume by the area of the farmer’s field that generated thewater (Hudson, 1993). Data from water and soil, carbon andnitrogen losses were determined using standard laboratory50

methods. The data and crop yields were subjected to analysis
of variance and mean separated using Duncan Multiple Range
Test (DMRT) at P<0.05 level of significance.
Results
Table 1. Water loss on farmers’ field under Usual Practiceand Vetiver Technology.
Technologies

Rainfall loss in 2010
(Total rainfall = 1200 mm)

Rainfall loss in 2011
(Total rainfall = 711 mm)

(%)

(mm)

(%)

(mm)

Usual Practice

29

347

21

150

5

7

85

8

58

15

12

147

11

76

15

13

152

11

80

5, 15 and 25 m = vetiver buffer surface intervals
Table 2. Carbon and nitrous oxide loss in eroded sediment
under Usual Practice and Vetiver Technology
Nitrous oxide loss
(kg ha-1 yr-1)

Carbon loss
(kg ha-1 yr-1)

Technologies

2010

2011

2010

2011

Usual Practice

70a

90a

7a

9a

5m

32c

18d

3c

2b

15m

48b

29c

5b

3b

25m

45b

47b

5b

3b

5, 15 and 25 m = vetiver buffer surface intervals
Table 4. Maize and fresh cassava tuber yields under Usual
Practice and Vetiver Technology
Maize yield(t ha-1)

Technologies

Cassava fresh tuber yield(t ha-1)

2010

2011

2010

2011

Usual Practice

1.3c

1.18c

92c

51d

5

2.02a

2.23a

162a

199a

15

1.67b

1.99b

135b

158b

15

1.74b

1.98b

130b

138c

5, 15 and 25 m = vetiver buffer surface intervals

Discussion
Rainfall in 2010 and 2011 was 50 - 68 % below the annual
rainfall recorded for the area decades back (CRADP, 1992).
The declining trend in annual rainfall could be attributed tomassive deforestation in the area and global climate change
impact. Vetiver Technology (VT) allows the farmer derives
maximum benefit from every millimetre of rain that dropon the field by significantly enhanced water infiltration andreducing water loss from the field through erosion. Under VT
only 7-8 % of rainfall was loss on the farmers’ field, whereas,
21 -29 % of total rainfall was loss under Usual Practice (UP).
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

This was more effective with vetiver buffer strip installed at 5m surface intervals. The 5 m spacing increased water infiltration, conserved and improved water economy within the plantrooting zone thus confirming VT is a climate change adaptation
technology (Booche et al., 2000 and Oku et al., 2011). Significant amount of carbon and nitrogen were loss under UP whencompared with VT fields. These are converted to carbon dioxide
and nitrous oxide that contributes to greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gases
mitigation potentials of VT are confirmed in the field. The
vetiver technology sequestered 54-80 % carbon and 21-22 %nitrous oxide when UP was used as a control. Thus VT showed
a positive contribution to reducing and removing greenhousegas from the atmosphere (FAO, nd). Maize and cassava yieldsignificantly increased in VT fields as a result of improvement
in water economy (reduced runoff and increased infiltration).
The UP fields did not only produce the lowest maize and freshcassava tuber yields, but the yields also declined in the second
year in UP fields, but increased under VT.
Conclusion
The practice of using vetiver as a green farming technology
increased water and nutrient use efficiency and creates resilience. This allows the field crops adapt to low or inadequate
rainfall during the growing period with increase and sustainable
yields. The practice also, mitigates greenhouse gases emissions
by reducing carbon and nitrogen losses from the soil. It is
recommended that the capacity of smallholder farmers could
be developed in the use of this green farming technology.
In addition, Agricultural Extension Officers’ capacity in thistechnology be developed for the sustenance and scaling-upof the technology.
References• Biswas TD, Mukherjee SK (2005): Textbook of soil science (2nd Edition).
Tata Mc- Graw-Hill Publishing Company Limited. New Delhi. 433pp.
• Booche S, Inthapan P, Utoung N (2000): Asia sloping land network
management of sloping land for sustainable agriculture in Thailand.
Final report phase IV. 13pp.
• CRADP (1992): Reports on the wetland soils of Cross River State,
Nigeria. 115pp.
• Faust H 2014: Human dimensions of land use change in Sumatra,Indonesia. Zalf Colloquium.
• FAO (nd): Climate smart agriculture – managing ecosystems forsustainable livelihoods. FAO. 14pp.
• Hellin J ( 2003): From soil erosion to soil quality. Low External Input
and Sustainable Agriculture Magazine. December, 10 – 11
• Hudson N W (1993): Field measurement of soil erosion and runoff.
FAO Soils Bulletin 68. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations. Rome. 139pp.
• Juo ASR, Thurow TL ( 1998): Sustainable technologies for useof conservation of steep lands. Texas A & M University and Texas
agricultural experimental station College Bulletin.
• Oku EE, Fagbola, O, Truong P (2011): Evaluation of vetiver buffer strips
and Organo-mineral fertilization for the improvement of soil physicalproper- ties. Kasetsart Journal (Natural. Sciences) Vol. 45 (5) 824-831.
• Oku EE and Aiyelari EA (2014): Green technology for keeping soilwater-nutrient fluxes on cultivated steepland and for mitigating
the consequence of climate change, Journal of Agriculture andEnvironment for International Development. 108: (1) 17-27.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

D4
Non-timber forest products,
climate change resilienceand rural poverty
alleviation in northern
Ghana
Issaka, Balma Yakubu
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
P. O. Box TL 1882, Tamale,Email: yissaka@outlook.com. +233-242273410

Abstract
Climate change resilience is intricately linked to poverty alleviation for the reason that majority of rural dwellers, especiallyin developing countries, depend on nature for their livelihoods.
Consequently, large sections of the population in rural areas
in Sub-Saharan Africa are exposed directly to the negative
effects of climate change, such as frequent of crop failure,and famines, thereby challenging existing livelihood systems.
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) constitute a substantial
component of forest related livelihoods in Northern Ghana.
Rural people have exploited NTFPs of both plant and animal
origin for income, food and medicine for centuries. Although
this group of off-farm products constitute a critical componentof the ecosystem they have not been given adequate attention
regarding their potential role in improving resilience of agricultural systems to climate change. Rather, they appear to be
regarded as adverse to agricultural development. In this paper
it is argued that NTFPs, as an integral component of landuse
systems in Northern Ghana, will enhance the resilience ofagricultural systems to climate change thereby translating into
gains in income, food security and eventually, poverty alleviation. Indeed recent literature has shown that the contributionof NTFPs to rural livelihoods has been underestimated1 andtheir inclusion in policies on landuse can enhance poverty
alleviation impact2. This paper is derived from a study on
the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods in Northern
Ghana. 288 respondents were sampled from households in 9
administrative districts. The study employed a combinationof household surveys, focus group discussions and market
surveys to generate data. The result revealed the significant
contribution of NTFPs to rural likelihoods in Northern Ghanaand demonstrates the need for re-thinking the role of NTFPs
in climate resilience strategies not as a passive safety net but
more rigorously as part of an integrated strategy for resilienceof agricultural systems.

51

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Natural Resource Management and Interventions

1. Wunder, S. et al. Forests, Livelihoods, and Conservation: Broadening
the Empirical Base, World Development (2014),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.03.007)
2. C.M. Shackleton and A.K. Pandey(2014). Positioning non-timber
forest products on the development agenda, Forest Policy andEconomics 38 (2014) 1–7

D5
Jatropha production in
Malawi and Mozambique:delineating ecosystemservices and humanwellbeing trade-offs
Alexandros Gasparatos1, Graham Von Maltitz2
University of Tokyo, Japan
CSIR, South Africa
Email: alex.gasparatos@zoo.ox.ac.uk

1
2

Jatropha curcas is a biofuel feedstock that gained prominencein southern Africa since 2005. It was branded as a “miraclecrop” due to its perceived development benefits based on
promises of high yields, low water requirement, ability to growon marginal land and lack of competition with food. In lessthan 10 years, tens of thousands of hectares were acquired forjatropha cultivation and thousands of hectares were planted,
most of which are now unused or abandoned. At the same time,
jatropha has been associated with a number of environmental
and socioeconomic impacts such as GHG emissions, habitat/biodiversity loss, income/employment generation, energy
security, food security and social conflicts. These impacts canbe positive or negative depending on a number of factors but
the knowledge about the emerging trade-offs has been rather
incomplete for southern Africa.
The aim of this presentation is to identify the main trade-offs
associated with jatropha production in southern Africa. We
employ the ecosystem services approach to put into perspective
the main trade-offs of two very different modes of jatrophaproduction, i.e. a large plantation (Niqel, Mozambique) and asmallholder scheme (BERL, Malawi). In contrast to most jatropha projects in southern Africa that had collapsed, the selected
projects were operational at the time of study (March 2013).
By identifying what seems to be working in these projects weprovide insights as to why other projects may have failed insouthern Africa and whether there is still place for jatrophain the region.
We found that for both projects the main trade-offs involved
52

provisioning services, and particularly the displacement of foodcrops by fuel feedstock. The magnitude of this displacement
due to land use change was relatively limited as farmers in
Malawi were incentivized to grow jatropha in hedgerows surrounding their family farms, while in Mozambique given the
low population density and abundant land the displaced family
farmers could clear woodland to relocate their family farms.
However in the case of Mozambique there was also a potentiallysignificant displacement of access to forest products and adegradation of climate regulation services considering that theplantation was established on converted woodland. Howeverat the point of fieldwork actual jatropha oil production had notcommenced so it was impossible to ascertain the magnitude of
total greenhouse gas emissions through a life cycle assessment.
The main human wellbeing benefits accrued through theprovision of income to jatropha growers (Malawi) and a stablesalary to plantation workers (Mozambique). However, thesemonetary benefits are not captured evenly between community
members. We identified that family farmers in Malawi withlarger plots of land (and usually better off) were the most likely
to adopt jatropha as a cash crop. On the other hand those most
likely to be engaged as waged labor in plantation (in Mozambique) tended to come from less well-off and well-endowed
households. In the case of the large plantation less tangible(but more widespread) human wellbeing benefits manifested
through the improvement of road infrastructure, local schools
and health clinics by the company.
Though the long-term sustainability of the two projects is
not proven, both projects may increase resilience by diversifying
household income streams. For example, both jatropha farmers
and plantation workers indicated through interviews and focus
groups a potentially positive effect on food security. This wasdue to the fact that the income obtained from jatropha allowed
them to buy food in times of need (i.e. after drought, at end ofcrop calendar year), despite the displacements of labour (forplantation workers, smallholders) and land (for smallholders)from the subsistence agriculture prevalent in both areas.
Keywords: jatropha, impacts, smallholder scheme, large plantation,southern Africa

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

D6Changing diet to copewith climate change:
exploring innovative
pathways for developing
ready-to-eat millet products
through integrated millet
development initiative

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products from millet that can be sold by street vendors andmarkets. An Integrated Millet Development Project (IMDP)
holds the key. This involves capacity building through skills
training and technology transfer; policy and institutional support; technical expertise and entrepreneurial skills developmentin the millet industry to provide more job opportunities forout-growers to restore agriculture’s lead in the GDP league.

D7
The role and nature of trustin risk communication:
insights from climateinduced risks prone ruralcommunities in Wa West
district, Ghana

Niagia F. Santuah1, Dennis Chirawurah2,
George A. Agulijam3
West Africa Resilience Innovation Lab University for
Development Studies
2
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for
Development Studies
3
Corporate and Development Policy Advisor, African Centre forEnterprise Development (ACED)
Email: nsantuah@yahoo.com
Cell: +233 (0) 201391691

B

1

Subhajyoti Samaddar1, Muneta Yokomatsu1,
Martin Oteng-Ababio2, Frederick Dayour3,
Togbiga Dzivenu3, Hirohiko Ishikawa1
Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.
Department of geography and Resource Management,
University of Ghana.
3
University for Development Studies, Ghana.
Email: samaddar14@gmail.com Telephone: (+81) 774384624
1
2

Abstract
Traditionally, peasant farmers in the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone (NSEZ) of Ghana have coped with the region’s fragile ecosystem and the effects of climate change bydeveloping complex inter-cropping systems and cultivating
drought resistant crops such as millet and sorghum. Today,these systems are breaking down as a result of the cumulative
effects poor yields per acre and a shift in dietary practices fromconsumption of home grown millet to consumption of imported
rice and maize. The crop potentially occupies a strategic position in the country’s food security focus alongside rice, cow pea,cassava, soybean and yam. Millet provides farm households,
produce buyers, processors, exporters and transporters withsustainable income. Ghana is now a net importer of cereals
which means the existing local market is massive. Millet is
an important cereal crop due to its incredible resilience to theeffects of climate change. As a result of its high nutritional
content, there is the need to exploit the value chain of the millet
crop through conscious agro-processing into ready meals suchas pastries, pudding, weanimix, fast food/meals; malt, softdrinks (beverages) and other brewery products. The farmer innorthern Ghana and all the other actors in the value change ofthe millet crop face a bright future, but that future is in the past.
The position here is that, millet production and consumption
can be boosted if; (1) there are opportunities increase farm size
and yield per acre and; (2) developing innovative ready-to-eat
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Abstract
A realistic risk communication system is inevitable for better awareness and preparedness creation especially I ruralcommunities vulnerable to climate change related disasters.
In many parts of Africa, programs have been initiated by the
local governments and civil societies geared towards developing timely seasonal forecast and early warning systems toprepare the communities against risks. These measures include
adopting drought tolerant crops, appropriate soil moisture
farming techniques, and instituting efficient evacuation plan.
However, recent studies have catalogue many instances offailure primarily because conventional risk communication
strategies over-emphasize the contents of the information, tothe detriment of information source. This paper argues thatsince climate change induced risks are uncertain and complex,
individuals decision-making depend much on their trust in therisk information source. The study thus systematically examines
the role and nature of trust in risk communication strategies,
maintaining that familiarity with a hazard information predicts
the relative trust attached to it which is also inﬂuenced by thecommunity’s social and cultural characteristics.
53

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ABSTRACTS

Natural Resource Management and Interventions

D8
Material flow analysis for
Shea butter production
systems and ecologicalsustainability in Ghana: an
exploratory study

implications for environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Material Flow Analysis, Shea Production Systems, Resource
use efficiency, Environmental Sustainability, Natural Capital, Ghana

D9

Investigating thesensitivity of household
food security to agriculturerelated shocks and theimplication of informalsocial capital and natural
resource capital: the caseof rural households in
Mpumalanga, South Africa

Godfred Seidu Jasaw*¹, Osamu Saito²,
Kazuhiko Takeuchi²¹,²United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Studyof Sustainability (UNU-IAS),
53-70 Jingumae, 5-Chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Email:gsjasaw@yahoo.com

Abstract
The continuous support of the environment for humanactivities is largely determined by the quantity and natureof the associated material flows. The material input to theeconomy from nature and output to the environment can be
accounted for and useful lessons drawn for society and ecological sustainability. The notion of Non timber forest products(NTFPs) is to ensure that provisioning services continue to beavailable to support livelihoods whilst reducing deforestation.
Many improvements and innovations are taking place in theprocessing of Shea nuts in to butter and other value added
products in response to local as well as international market
demands. The processing however, require use of fuel woodfor heating and a lot of water use in the production process.
The nature of the input requirement and production process
presents implications for social, economic as well as environmental sustainability. Using material flow analysis (MFA),
this paper shows the process and physical material flows andquantities within domestic and export loops in the production
system. Taking rural and urban locations for traditional andSemi-mechanized Shea butter processing, this paper computes
the associated economic value (resource use efficiency) andenvironmental value (deforestation and carbon footprint)
as indicators for sustainability of the Natural Capital for the
associated material flows. Data was collected from 40 rural processors in 4 villages and 12 urban Shea processing sites in Wa
and Tamale in Upper West and Northern Regions respectively.
Physical measurement of water required, wood mass burnt asfuel and labor used per unit production cycle. Interviews andquestionnaire administration supported were used as well. The
results present a qualitative flow of materials involved in theShea production for Shea Kernel and crude butter production.
It also shows the most efficient resource use thresholds in crude
butter production with accompanying area of deforested and
54(Presentation Cancelled)

Byela Tibesigwa1, Martine Visser2, Wayne Twine3
Corresponding author: Postdoctoral Research fellow,
Environmental-Economics Policy Research Unit, School of
Economics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch,
7700, Cape Town, South Africa.
Email: byela.tibesigwa@gmail.com
2
Senior lecturer, Environmental-Economics Policy Research
Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Private
Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, South Africa.
3
Senior lecturer, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental
Sciences, Wits Rural Facility, University of the Witwatersrand,
Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, South Africa.
1

Abstract
Resource-poor rural South Africa is characterized by highhuman densities due to the historic settlement patterns imposed by apartheid, high levels of poverty and substantiallyhigh food insecurity. Chronic food insecurity combined withclimate and weather variability has led to the adoption ofless conventional adaptation methods in rural resource-poor
settings. This paper therefore examines the impact of agriculture-related shocks on the consumption patterns of rural
households. In our assessment we are particularly interested
in the interplay between social capital (both formal and informal), natural resource capital and agriculture-related shocks.
We use a relatively new and unique three years Sustainability
in Communal Socio-Ecological Systems (SUCSES) panel ofhouseholds from rural Mpumalanga in South Africa who relyon small-scale homestead farming. Overall we make two key
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

observations pertaining to rural settings. First, the shocks
reduce households’ food availability and thus consumption.
Second, natural resource capital (e.g. bushmeat, edible wild
fruits, vegetables and insects) and informal social capital(ability to ask for food assistance from neighbours, friends andrelatives) somewhat counteracts this reduction and sustains
households dietary requirements. In general, our findings
suggest the promotion of informal social capital and natural
resource capital as they are easier, cheaper and more accessible
alternatives to household coping strategy, in comparison toother more technical and capital intensive strategies such as
insurance, which remain unaffordable in most rural parts of
sub-Saharan Africa.
Keywords: agriculture-related shocks, caloric consumption, natural
resource capital, informal social capital, formal social capital, weather-related crop failure, small-scale-subsistence farming households

D10
Adaptive co-managementof forest resources: a case of
Takamaru-yama Sennen-no
mori, Tokushima, Japan
Sadahisa Kato1, Naoki Iiyama2, Noriko Minamoto3,
Mahito Kamada4
1. UNU-IAS
2. Kamikatsu Satoyama Club
3. Tokushima City Government
4. The University of Tokushima
Email:skato@unu.edu

Abstract
Takamaru-yama Sennen-no mori (TYSM: Thousand-year
Forests in Mount Takamaru) was initially established by
Tokushima prefecture (one of the four prefectures consistingof the island of Shikoku, Japan) and now operated by Kamikatsu Satoyama Club (KSC). The KSC itself is a consortium of
10 local organizations (i.e., NPO, local companies, and study
groups). The KSC, in consultation with the local Tokushima
government, academics and professionals, and local citizen
groups, plans and organizes forest nurturing projects suchas native forest regeneration and environmental education.
The KSC provides opportunities for interaction among different groups, such as urban residents and rural residents,
and people with different interests on the use of forests,
through year-round programs and activities. While this typeof active adaptive co-management (adaptive and collaborative
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

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management) of natural resources (in this case, forests) by local
entities with diverse interests is considered ideal, in Japan
there are more unsuccessful cases of management where only
the government bodies are involved in the management withlittle local input, or where the transition of power to manage
from the government to local groups has failed. The TYSM andits designated manager, KSC, are presented as one of the few
successful examples of (1) the successful transition of power
to manage from the government to the local interest groups,(2) two-way sharing of knowledge between the academics/
professionals and local residents, and (3) locally-led, adaptive
co-management/governance of natural resources.
Researchers of the University of Tokushima have been
involved in forest regeneration in the TYSM and the establishment of the KSC since its early conceptual stage. Cypress(Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations
occupy 28% of the total forest area in Japan. They were planted
all over Japan about 40 years ago, encouraged by the Japanese
government. Due to several factors that have led to the declineof forest industry in Japan, the plantation forests have not been
properly maintained and some even left abandoned. Consequently, these plantation forests with closed canopy and little
understory or ground cover have little biodiversity and offer
few ecosystem services. The local Tokushima government andsome university researchers have been involved in finding ways
to regenerate native broadleaf deciduous forests once rich inplants and animals. The key here is that the linkage between
the locals and the secondary forests (native broadleaf deciduous
forests) has been lost. The KSC was established to regain thelost linkage and nurture native forests through forest regeneration and environmental educational programs to connect
urban residents with rural residents, and people with different
interests in terms of the use of forests. The KSC acts as anorganizer and coordinator of various activities and interests. It
encourages interaction among various interest groups throughthese activities. It plays multiple roles: a planner, an organizer,a natural resource manager, an educator, and a facilitator. Thiskind of collaborative co-management system is arguably arare successful case in Japan and even in the world. The lessons learned from this case have implications for successfully
managing the natural resource base in the northern Ghana.
Keywords: Adaptive co-management, local knowledge, natural

resource management, forest regeneration, environmental
education

55

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Thursday 7 th August 2014
13:30 – 17:00

ABSTRACTS

SESSIONE1 » 10E

Implication of Climate
and Ecosystem Changes
on Agricultural Production (II)Integrated assessment of vulnerability of rural households to climate stress across regional
levels in Niger
58
Gender and adoption of cowpea innovation in the context of climate change in Benin

59

Response of maize to climate adaptation strategies in the Sudan savanna of West Africa 59
Trends in NDVI and relationship with rainfall, population density and land use land coverchange over the Bani River Basin (West Africa)
60
Impact of flood on the livelihood of farmers in semi-arid zone of Benin Republic

60

Rice farmers’ vulnerability to climatic variability: quantitative evidence for adaptation resource
allocation from Ekiti State, Nigeria
62
Indigenous coping agricultural strategies of farmers to mitigate climate variability on farmingin the Bawku West district of the Upper East region of Ghana
65
Reducing greenhouse gas emission from ruminants through the use of indigenous browse
plants66
Evaluating yield response of paddy rice to irrigation with application of the aquacrop modelin northern region of Ghana
68
Farmers’ livelihoods and welfare impacts in Wa West district, Upper West region of Ghana 70

ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)E1
Integrated assessmentof vulnerability of rural
households to climate
stress across regional levels
in NigerElhadji Iro Illa
Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
Email: elhadjijo@yahoo.fr

Research question
To which extent are rural households vulnerable to climate
stress and what are the underlying factors?
Abstract
Based on household-level survey data collected from thenational institute of statistics, vulnerability as an expected
poverty approach (Chaudhuri et al. 2002) is used to analyse theprobability of rural households falling below the poverty line
(minimum income) due to climate shocks. Logistic regression
is used to estimate the proportion of rural households with anincome below the income threshold (vulnerable households)
and the result shows that 77% of rural households have theirincome below the poverty line. While there is a negative effectbetween flood occurrence and the risk of having an income
below the poverty threshold, the correlation is positive withdrought occurrence, meaning that flooding is likely to decrease
the probability of being poor, whilst drought occurrence causes
households to suffer from poverty.
This study is also based on vulnerability resilience indicator
across regional levels following Temesgen Deressa, Rashid M.
Hassan and Claudia Ringler (2008). The resilience is computed
as the net effect of exposure and sensitivity on adaptive capacity
and the higher net value the lesser vulnerability. The resultshows that rural households living in the regions of Dossoand Tahoua are relatively less vulnerable than those of thefive other regions of which those of Zinder and Niamey are
the most sensitive and exposed to climate stress.

the area of concern and xi are households’ characteristics andenvironmental shocks.

The marginal effects measure the expected change in probabilityof income with respect to a unit change in an explanatory
variable.
b) Vulnerability resilience indicator using weights from principal components analysis PCA (Deressa et al., 2008)
The index formula for a given region j is given by:

Where wi is the weight for the ith indicator in the PCA model,
xij is the jth region’s value for the ith indicator, x̄i and σxi arerespectively the mean and standard deviation of the ith indicator
for all regions. From the equation above we can generate theassociated index for adaptive capacity, exposure and sensitivity
for each region:
Adaptive capacity index of region j for the ith indicator:

Exposure index of region j for the ith indicator:

Sensitivity index of region j for the ith indicator:

Vulnerability resilience indicator of region j for the ith indicator:

Methodologya) Measuring vulnerability as expected poverty using logistic
regression by means of maximum likelihood (Chaudhuri etal. 2002).

Where yi is the per capita income per day of individual i as
dependent variable, ȳ is the existing poverty threshold in
58

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

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E3

Gender and adoption of
cowpea innovation in thecontext of climate change
in Benin

Response of maize
to climate adaptation
strategies in the Sudan
savanna of West Africa

Gilbert O Adjimoti1, Sounkoura Adetonah2
PhD Candidate, University of Ghana
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Benin
Email: adjilbert@yahoo.fr, Tel: +233245517079

D

E

Isaac Danso1,2* Thomas Gaiser1, Heidi Webber1,Frank Ewert1, Jesse B. Naab3

1
2

Abstract
Cowpea is a substantial source of food and incomes for ruralfarm households. However the extreme variability of climate
decreasing cowpea production requires the development andadoption of new technologies including a wide range of short,medium and long cycle varieties; adapted crop production,
protection practices and related knowledge and information forboth men and women farmers. The overall objective is to assess
the gender related adoption of climate smart technologies tomitigate the negative effects of climate change. A sample of
120 producers was selected according to gender disaggregateddata and climate change indicators most relevant respectively in
two area of Benin: Collines and Couffo regions. The analysis isbased on the descriptive statistics and particularly frequencies
and proportions.
The results showed us that although the producers are awareof the effects of climate change but the resources they haveto deal with are still very limits. We also note a prevalenceof endogens methods in farming practices, more present in
women than men. Even if areas receive the same problems ofclimate change, the impact on women and men are not thesame. Cowpea producers cited improved technologies andtraditional technologies such as strategies for climate change
adaptation in. These technologies are short cycle improved
varieties tolerant to drought, endogenous methods, botanicalextracts, ash animal urine and black soap. Majority of womenuse black soap and botanical extracts because of their low
income. Producers are informed on the availability of new
seed varieties, but often do not have access to these inputs.
Keywords: Climate change, technologies for adaptation, Income distribution, innovations
Address: Gilbert O Adjimoti: PhD Candidate in Agricultural Economics
and Policy, University of Ghana.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

University of Bonn, Institute of Crop Science and Resource
Conservation, Crop Science Group, Katzenburgweg 5, 53115
Bonn, Germany.
2
CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute P.O Box 74 Kusi.
3
WASCAL 06 BP 9507 06, Ouaga 06, Burkina Faso
Email:danso60@yahoo.com
1

Abstract
An on-farm researcher managed experiment was conducted inthree representative sites of the Sudan Savanna Zone of threeWest African countries: Ghana (Vea), Republic of Benin (Dassari)and Burkina Faso (Dano) in 2012. The aim of the experiment wasto evaluate the effect of tillage practices and nitrogen fertilizer
regimes on the yield of a short season maize (Zea mays L.) variety,
DORKE SR, for two landscape positions. The experiment was
carried out as a stripe-plot design with four replications at eachof the three sites. Tillage practices (contour and along ridges)
were allotted to main-plots whereas nitrogen treatments (nonitrogen-0 kgN ha-1, moderate nitrogen-60 kgN ha-1 and highnitrogen 120 kgN ha-1) made up the sub-plots treatments foreach landscape position (upslope and footslope). Across the threesites both potassium and phosphorus fertilizers were applied at
40 kgK2O ha-1 and 60 kgP2O5 ha-1. Grain yield, aboveground biomass, LAI, plant height and phenology showed diverse responses
with respect to tillage, slope position and nitrogen fertilizer regimes
across sites. The impact of slope position and nitrogen fertilizer
regimes were significant (p<0.05) across sites for grain yield leading
to an increase of 29.2% and 125% for footslope and high nitrogen
regime, respectively, as compared to upslope and no nitrogen
fertilizer regime across sites. A trend for higher grain yields in
Dassari and Dano was noted for contour tillage though differenceswere not significant at p<0.1 compared to ridges oriented along
the slope. At Vea, the impact of tillage was significant (p<0.1) andcontour ridges recorded approximately 25% higher grain yieldthan the along slope-ridges. Nitrogen fertilizer regimes significantly (p<0.1) influenced LAI at tasseling between sites and values
were consistent with increasing nitrogen levels. The importanceof these results to farmers relates to the fact that for optimum
maize yield under sub-humid conditions, it is recommended toconcentrate maize cultivation at the low lying areas in combination
with contour tillage with the recommended fertilizer application.
59

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Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)E4

E5

Trends in NDVI andrelationship with rainfall,
population density andland use land cover changeover the Bani River Basin(West Africa)

Impact of flood on the
livelihood of farmers insemi-arid zone of Benin
Republic

Souleymane Traore
WASCAL Climate Change and Land Use
KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
Email:sstraore@yahoo.fr

Abstract
Global monitoring of vegetation with remote sensing helps
understand the linkages between vegetation, climate, andanthropogenic activities. Changes in land use resulting from
population growth have triggered interest from research toinvestigate in more detail causal relationships between trends
population density, rainfall patterns and vegetation dynamics.
The goal of this research is to assess such relationships in thecontext of perceived greening and degradation trends over theBani river basin. The Bani is a northern flowing tributary of the
Niger [9˚17’ to 14˚18’ North and 4˚10’ to 8˚12’ West] spanning
the North Guinean, Soudanian and Sahelian agro-ecologies. A
30-year, 8-km gridded rainfall dataset was produced by inverse
distance weighted (IDW) interpolation of monthly data from40 meteorological stations contained within the basin. Gridded
Population densities were retrieved from National population
statistic for 1987, 1997 and 2009 census and interpolated
at district (commune) level. An 8 km Normalized Difference
Vegetation Index (NDVI) from 1982 to 2011 was created using
SPOT Vegetation 1 km and GIMMS 8 km reference data. Time
series trend of rainfall and NDVI for the 30 years period havebeen analysed. The relation between rainfall and NDVI at pixel
level, in one hand and, and NDVI and population densities on
the other hand have been carried out considering the district
boundary. Land Use Land Cover Conversion (LULCC) rates
were computed for the same period using Landsat imagery andground surveys at 4 anchors sites: Dieba, Sibirila, Sukumba
and Nompossela. Trend analyses reveal that within the Bani
river basin, vegetation greening trends are mostly associatedwith areas where natural vegetation is still well represented.
Concurrent with increases in rainfall over the period analysed,
this finding supports the hypothesis that re-greening observedin that area is the result of multi-decadal fluctuations in climate,rather than improved land management.
60

Alice Bonou1,2, Tobias Wuenscher1,3, Adama Diaw1,4
WASCAL / Faculty of Economics/ University Cheikh Anta
Diop, Dakar, Senegal
2
Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Cotonou, Benin
3
University Gaston Berger, Saint Louis, Senegal
4
ZEF, Bonn, Germany
Email:alice.bonou@gmail.com
1

Brief introduction
River flooding has become a widely distributed and devastating natural disaster that has caused significant damages both
economically and socially. According to different studies, Beninhas recently been affected by changes in seasonal patterns,
reflected in the occurrence of new stresses, and /or increased
climate variability (Ago et al., 2005; IPCC, 2007). As people
cultivate more land than before, and a greater proportion ofthis new land is located next to the river, and so more liable
to flooding, locals are now more susceptible to the devastating
effects of floods. In Benin floods have always taken place, andthey are not always related to heavy rains in the local area
but sometimes to heavy rain upstream (Cuni-Sanchez et al.
2012). Since 2007, Benin has experienced frequent floods.
The recent and severe one occurred in August 2010 when
55 townships out of 77 were affected. Agricultural experts
had warned of huge damage to land and livelihoods in ruralcommunities. Relief agencies and the government of Beninhave appealed for US$46.8 million to help the nation recoverfrom the worst flooding in nearly 50 years (IRIN 2013). The
impact of these floods on Benin economy was captured throughthe analysis of damage and losses. The damage caused by 2010
flooding amounted to 78.3 billion CFA francs (about USD 160
million) and was related to total or partial destruction of assets
including buildings and what they contain, infrastructure,
inventory, etc. The losses amounted to 48.8 billion CFA francs(approximately USD 100 million) (World-Bank, 2011). In
semi-arid zone of Benin republic, the last flooding eventsoccurred in August 2012 and 2013, when many farmers lost
most of their crops. Yet, no studies were conducted to yieldcomprehensive data on the level of damage local communities have gone through after the flooding of 2012. Then the
agricultural economic impact of flood at household levels
is needed in order to contribute to the scientific debate of
positive/negative impact of flooding (Khakbazan et al., 2013;
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

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Figure 1: Number of farmers flooded and unflooded in2012

Figure 2: Number of farmers per categories of flooding
damages in 2012

Nkeki et al., 2013; Ojeh et al., 2012; Pauw et al., 2011; Baudoin
et al., 2013).

about on average USD 500 per farmer. To cope with this worse
situation, farmers develop many adaptation and prevention
strategies as shifting the cultural calendar and diversificationof activities.

Materials and methods
To fill in this gap, a survey is conducted in semi-arid zone of
Benin republic in Benin, a small country south of the Sahel.
Two townships are chosen: Malanville and Karimama becauseof their location in downstream. In this region our focus is
the villages near a river. Then 9 villages in Malanville outof 19 recorded were surveyed. While in Karimama, 10 out
of 13 villages recorded were surveyed. A stratified random
sampling procedure is applied to strata with high, medium
and low flood probabilities. A total of 19 villages were chosenwith 12 farmers interviewed in each village, leading to a totalof 228 farmers are interviewed. That represents 3.82% of thetotal farmers recorded in the 32 villages. The questionnaire
includes open and closed question and concerned: socio-demographic characteristics of the household, History of farmer
about flooding, household farm characteristic during the rainy
and dry season 2012-2013, agricultural income of household
during growth season 2012-2013, additional expenditures
does flooding bring and flooding prevention and adaptation
measures. A non-experimental approach known as a Propensity
Score Matching (PSM) is used to measure the impact of 2012
flood on farmers’ revenue in semi-arid zone of Benin republic(Gertler et al., 2011) using the software R with the package
MatchIt (Ho et al., 2011).
Results and Conclusion
Results show that 86.4% (197 farmers) of farmers surveyed
had their farms damaged by flooding in 2012 (Figure 1). In
this subset, the average flooded size of farm per household
after 2012 flooding is about 2.4 hectare. The 25% of the sample(57 farmers) lost almost the total cultivated area during thisflooding. (See Figure 2). The average agricultural income offlooded farmers after 2012 flooding is XOF 527,139 ($US1054)
while it is XOF 593,625 ($US1187) for non-flooded farmers.
Overall the econometric model indicates that flooding has anegative and significant impact on farmer agricultural revenue
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

References• Ago, E. E., Petit, F. and P. Ozer (2005): Analyse des inondations enaval du barrage de Nangbeto sur le fleuve Mono (Togo et Bénin). In:
Geo-Eco-Trop, 29: 1-14.
• Baudoin, M-A., Cuni-Sanchez, A. and B. Fandohan (2013): Small
scale farmers’ vulnerability to climatic changes in southern Benin:
the importance of farmers’ perceptions of existing institutions. In:
Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change, DOI10.1007/s11027-013-9468-9.
• Cuni-Sanchez, A., Fandohan, B., Assogbadjo, A. E. and B. Sinsin(2012): A countrywide multi-ethnic assessment of local communities’
perception of climate change in Benin West Africa. In: Climate andDevelopment, 4 (2): 114-128.
• Gertler P.J., Martinez S., Premand P., Rawlings, L.B and C.M.J.
Vermeersch (2011). Impact Evaluation in Practice. ISBN: 978-0-82138541-8, eISBN: 978-0-8213-8593-7, DOI: 10.1596/978-0-8213-8541-8,
World Bank, Washington, 266P.
• Ho, D.; Imai, K.; King, G.,and E. A. Stuart (2011). MatchIt:
Nonparametric Preprocessing for Parametric Causal Inference. In:
Journal of Statistical Software, 42 (8).
• IRIN Africa, (2013): BENIN: Counting the cost of flooding. In: IRIN
(humanitarian news and analysis), report n°91022. www.irinnews.org/
report/91022/benin-counting-the-cost-of-flooding• IPCC, (2014): Climate change: The IPCC fourth assessment report.
Retrieved August 9th, 2013, from http://www.ipcc.ch/.
• Khakbazan, M., Hamilton, C. and J. Yarotski (2013): The Effect of Land
Management Changes and Nutrient Runoff Capture on Water Quality
and Farm and Watershed economics. In Proceedings of Agricultural& Applied Economics Association’s AAEA & CAEA Joint Annual
Meeting, Washington, DC, August 4-6, 2013, 18 pages.
• Nkeki, N. F., Henah, P. J. and V. N. Ojeh (2013): Geospatial Techniques
for the Assessment and Analysis of Flood Risk along the NigerBenue Basin in Nigeria. In: Journal of Geographic Information
System, 5: 123-135.
• Ojeh, V. N. and P. Ugboma (2012): Flood hazards in Urban Niger
Delta: A Case Study of Abraka Town. In: International Journal ofEnvironmental Engineering Research, 1 (1): 23-29.
• Pauw, K. (2011): The economic costs of extreme weather events: ahydrometeorological CGE analysis for Malawi. In: Environment andDevelopment Economics, 16: 177–198.
• World bank (2011): Inondations au Benin, Rapport d’evaluation desBesoins Post Catastrophe. 84p.

61

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)E6
Rice farmers’ vulnerability
to climatic variability:
quantitative evidence
for adaptation resource
allocation from Ekiti State,
Nigeria
Awolala David Olufemi
International Doctoral Student of Climate Change Economics,
West African Science Service Center on Climate Change andAdapted Land Use (WASCAL)
Department of Economics, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop
(UCAD), Dakar, Senegal
Email: ddawolala@gmail.com
Telephone: +234 (1) 8163 9767 21

Background Information
Impacts of climate change are increasingly visible around theworld, from dwindling water supplies, crop-damaging heatwaves and droughts, and to ecological disasters. In this context, assisting vulnerable communities to adapt and protect
themselves has been recognized as an increasingly pressing
issue by the international community. Progress has been madein securing pledges for finance to assist developing countries
with both mitigation and adaptation, but the current system is fraught with obstacles, complexities, and unsettled
debates. At the 2009 United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Summit in Copenhagen and the2010 meeting in Cancun, developed countries affirmed theircommitment to assist developing nations with addressing
climate change by providing an initial US$30 billion in “FastStart Finance” (FSF) from 2010-2012 and contributing toward
a global climate finance target of US$100 billion yearly by 2020.
However, there are some claims that as of the middle of 2011,
only about 8% of the pledged FSF had actually been disbursed(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, 2007).
Developed countries have been criticized for a lack of transparency in how they are distributing and accounting for thesefunds (IPCC, 2012), the larger share of climate finance has thus
far been spent on mitigation activities, prompting calls for an
increased allocation for adaptation (World Bank, 2010). Many
developed countries and international institutions have alreadybegun providing climate finance to developing countries but
rather than pursuing a coordinated or streamlined approach, aproliferation of climate finance mechanisms has occurred (Venton and LaTrobe, 2008). This large number of funds includes the62national funds such as the National Climate Change Trust Fundand the Environmental Sustainability Group in Nigeria, etc in
addition to many bilateral programmes. This confusing web offunds puts burdens on developing countries and increases thechallenges of coordinating and accessing finance (Mitchell etal., 2010). The difficulty of tracking climate change finance has
spawned several attempts to map many channels and mechanisms. There is no formal and transparent methodology forallocating funds between projects at the sub-national level (Harris and Bahadur, 2011). Given the limited resources available tosupport adaptation to climate change impacts, it is crucial thatfunds be deployed equitably and efficiently. There are efforts
in place to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable communities
and local governments to meet adaptation needs, therefore
this study will provide a basis for further discussions aroundwhich policies can be made to ensure efficiency in allocating
adaptation resources at a local level in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Materials and Method
The study area was the derived savannah-forest agro-ecologicalzone of Ekiti State. Ekiti State has an approximate populationof 2, 748, 441 with an estimated land mass of 10,898.68 sq.km
located entirely in the tropical part of southwest Nigeria (Ekiti
State Government, 2010). It possesses two Agro-EcologicalZones (AEZs) namely the tropical forest in the South, andderived savannah in the Northern peripheries. Ise Orun Local
Government Area (LGA) situated within 5o31’E, 7o34’N was
selected from the southern forest zone while Oye LGA between
5o37’E, 7o76’N was represented the derived savannah zone
(See Figure 1).

Data, Sampling Techniques and Data Collection
Primary data collected from field survey were used to obtainrelevant socioeconomic data of selected rice producers on
their sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity across theagro-ecological zones (AEZs). A multi-stage sampling technique
was used to select eighty-seven (87) respondents in which Oye
LGA purposively selected to represent Derived savannah and
Ise Orun LGA in the Tropical forest zone. Secondary data of theobservational daily weather data on maximum temperatures,
minimum temperatures, and rainfall were obtained for theavailable year 2010. Exposure variables in the climate change
composite vulnerability index (CCVI) were selected from daily
meteorological data of the Climate Forest System Reanalysis(CFSR) downscaled at 38km resolution from the National centre
for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) over the twelve monthsof 2010. The daily data were reduced to monthly averages while
standard deviations were estimated to determine the trendsof climatic variability.
Quantitative Estimation of Vulnerability Index
The vulnerability status of the sampled rice farmers to climatic
variability and extremes was determined by computing Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI). In each community,
a set of indicators were selected for the three components ofInternational Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

Figure 1. Map of Ekiti State Showing the Study Area

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Figure 2. Vulnerability map of rice farmers in the study area

Table 2. Disaggregated component index of climatic vulnerability
AEZ

Exposure

Sensitivity

Adaptive capacity Vulnerability Index

Rank

Tropical forest

0.01

0.05

0.03

0.49

1

Derived savannah

0.03

0.05

0.02

0.44

2

Source: Field data, 2013.

vulnerability. Dimensions of subgroup indicator were identified. Indicators were then selected based on data availability,
personal judgement and previous studies. Implicitly;
CCVI (of community i) = Vi = [Exposure + Sensitivity - Adaptive
capacity]
where, Vi =Climate change Vulnerability Index,
Ei = Exposure to hazards; Si =Sensitivity; Ai = Adaptive Capacity
Multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis) was
conducted to choose valid indicators. Indicators were thennormalised in order to obtain figures which are free from theunits and scales. After giving consideration to the functional
relationship between the indicators and vulnerability, the value
1 from the Min-Max normalization equation corresponds tothat community/AEZ with maximum value and 0 the otherwise(Briguglio, 2003). Weighted average technique was used tocompute a composite vulnerability index by assigning heavier
weights to those indicators that contribute the greatest amountof variance. The weights were assumed to vary inversely as thevariance over a local government area in each indicators ofvulnerability (Iyengar and Sudarshan, 1982). The indices wereranked by degree of vulnerability based on linear intervals suchthat each interval has same probability weight of 20% which
categorized the levels of rice farmers vulnerability in the study.
Results and Discussion
Vulnerability ranking of respondents by agro-ecological zone
The CCVI shows that Ise-Orun LGA is more vulnerable thanOye. Ise Orun in the forest zone has a higher index of 0.491
compared with 0.440 in Oye on the vulnerability scale. Rice
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

farmers in the tropical forest zone are more vulnerable toclimatic variability and extremes than those in Oye, though
they were still on the same interval scale. This result confirms
previous studies that vulnerability to the impacts of climaticchanges/variability and extremes does not follow geographic
location or topographic landscape. Other important parameters
are also responsible for such differences in vulnerability that
do not follow normal expectations (See Awolala, Ajibefun, andImoudu, 2014). The vulnerability map is shown in Figure 2.
Disaggregated sub-component vulnerability indices
The vulnerability composite components presented in Table 2
explains that sensitivity component was the highest across theAEZs, exposure and adaptive capacity indices were comparably
lower although they were on equal averages. Rice farmers in
the Tropical forest Zone (Ise Orun) had a higher adaptive capacity but lower in the Derived savannah (Oye) while exposurecomponent is higher in Oye than Ise Orun.
Sensitivity subcomponents indicators and rice farmers’
vulnerability
Figure 3 shows the magnitude of each sub-component of sensitivity variable contributed to the overall CCVI rank scores in Ise
Orun and Oye LGAs respectively. Critical observation reveals
that socio-economic variables were major contributors to vulnerability in the Tropical forest zone while it is human capitalin the Derived savannah. Therefore, agricultural, geographic,
and human capital factors were not important to increase in
the level of vulnerability in the forest Zone.

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)Geographic	
  
1	
  

Demographic	
  
1	
  

0.8	
  

0.8	
  

0.6	
  

Wealth	  &	  Assets	
  

0.4	
  

0.4	
  

0	
  

0	
  

Sccioeconomic	
  Support	  Ins8tu8ons	  Educa8on	
  facili8es	
  

Oye	
  	
  
Human	  	
  Basic	
  Ameni8es	
  

0.2	
  

0.2	
  
Agricultural	
  

0.6	
  

Oye	
  	
  

Ise	
  Orun	  	
  Social	  capital	  Ise	
  Orun	  	
  Figure 3. Disaggregated sensitivity component indicators

Figure 4. Disaggregated adaptive capacity component indicators

Adaptive capacity subcomponents indicators andfarmers’ vulnerability
Figure 4 provide insight that wealth and assets, education
infrastructure, and basic amenities were not important contributors to adaptive capacity in Ise Orun (Tropical forest) while
education infrastructure in Oye (Derived Savannah) is the only
major sub-component reducing farmer’s vulnerability. However,presence of support institutions in Ise Orun serves as a major
coping strategy to reduce vulnerability. Outside inadequate
support institutions, there were other factors responsible tohigher vulnerability in Ise Orun in comparison with othercomponents of vulnerability.

finance or resource distributions towards local government
financing mechanisms, and broader development planningin the forest zone. Local government institutions should beallocated with climate change adaptation funding throughdirect transfers to offer them flexibility to use resources directly
to locations of higher vulnerability rather than re-allocation
based on political sentiments and/or politician’s discretion.

Summary and Conclusion
The CCVI estimation reveals that Ise-Orun is more vulnerable than Oye. Rice farmers in the tropical forest are more
vulnerable to climatic variability and extremes than those inderived savannah. The sub-components of sensitivity reveals
that socio-economic factors contribute higher to reduction invulnerability in the tropical forest while human capital variables
are also higher in derived savannah. Inadequate agricultural
supports, geographic and human capital variables were responsible for higher vulnerability in tropical forest unlike derived
savannah. Wealth and assets, education infrastructure, andbasic amenities were not important to adaptive capacity inthe forest zone. Other factors are responsible to higher vulnerability in the tropical forest outside inadequate support
institutions considering other components of vulnerability.
The application of Climate Change Vulnerability Index,(CCVI) can assist the local residents, decision makers, donororganizations, and government in making decisions with regard
to interventions that would reduce farmers’ vulnerability in thetropical forest. Larger adaptation fund allocation and resources
should be directed towards increasing farmers’ adaptive capacity in Ise Orun first because of lack of government supports
and infrastructure than Oye. The continuous monitoring of the
CCVI computation will provide a pointer on the development
scale over time and give reliable information for adaptation
64

References• Awolala, DO, Ajibefun, IA, and Imoudu, PB (2014). “Human
Vulnerability to Climatic Variability: An Integrated Assessment of theSouthern Senatorial District in Ondo State, Nigeria”. In proceedingsof the International Conference on Climate Change, Agriculture andFood Security”, the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists,
Federal University of Technology Akure, 24th -27th February, 2014.
• Briguglio, L (2003). The Vulnerability Index and small Island Developing
States; A Review of Conceptual and Methodological Issues” Paper
prepared for the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting on the Ten Year
Review of the Barbados Programme for Action: Praia, cape Verde.
• Ekiti State Government (2010). National Population Commission(NPC), Abuja, Nigeria. www.population. gov.ng• Harris, K and Bahadur, A (2011). Harnessing Synergies:
Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Disaster Risk
Reduction Programmes and Policies. Brighton, UK: Institute ofDevelopment Studies and Action Aid International.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, (2007). Climate
Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Working Group II
Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:
Summary for Policy Makers. Geneva: IPCC Secretariat, Geneva.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,IPCCb (2012). “Summaryfor Policymakers.” In A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by C.B. Field, V.
Barros, T.F. Stocker, D Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, etal., 3–21. Cambridge: 117 Cambridge University Press.
• Iyengar, NS and Sudarshan, P (1982). “A Method of Classifying
Regions from Multivariate Data”, Economic and Political Weekly,
pp2048-2052, Dec18, 1982
• Venton and LaTrobe ( 2008). Linking Climate Change Adaptation andDisaster Risk Reduction. Tearfund paper produced in collaboration
wit te Insitute of Development Studies(IDS). www.ids.ac.uk• World Bank (2010). World Development Report 2010: Development andClimate Change.

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

E7Indigenous coping
agricultural strategies of
farmers to mitigate climate
variability on farming in
the Bawku West district of
the Upper East region of
Ghana
Apuswin Mercy Abarike1, Dr. Richard W.N.
Yeboah2, Prof. Israel K. Dzomeku3
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Department of Agribusiness Management and Finance3
Department of Agronomy. University for Development Studies
1
2

Email: idzomeku@uds.edu.gh

Introduction
Farmers in northern Ghana have been and continue to depend
mainly on rainfall for crop cultivation and agriculture as a major
source of livelihood. Some communities have been assistedwith irrigation dams to collect water for farming or animal
watering during the dry season but sustainable availability ofwater in these dams still depends on rainfall in the single rainyseason in a year. These farmers have been coping with varying
rainfall for some time now in order to avert total failure of
productivity in a cropping season. Scientists predict worsening
future climatic conditions in the world; for instance, Reid etal., (2009), noted yields from rain-fed agriculture could be
reduced by up to 50% by 2020 in some countries. Climate
models confuse us as some predict increase, whilst others
predict decrease in rainfall amounts. Whilst some areas areexperiencing flooding others are saddled with droughts withthe poor in such communities being the most vulnerable inboth cases as they lack capacity to adapt to the variations.
This research was aimed at identifying the coping strategies
being used by farmers in the Bawku West District in recent
times as well as their views and experiences about the current
climate relative to the past. This area was chosen because itis relatively peaceful and also because it is bounded by two
tributaries of the Volta river to the north and south making
it prone to flooding in times of extreme rainfall.
Materials and methods
Materials used to collect data were semi-structured questionnaire, checklist and tape recorder. Interviews and focus group
discussions were used to collect data on the views and experiences of farmers in the study area about climatic variations
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

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and the coping mechanisms used. In-depth interviews werealso held with some key informants in selected communities
in the district.
The population for this study was farmers in the Bawku West
District. Farmers were sampled from seven (7) communities
in the district by first putting the district into clusters using
the area councils in order to reduce travel and administrative
cost. Seven clusters each representing an area/ town council
was formed and a community was selected randomly fromeach cluster (area Council). A clustered design is one wheremore than one stage of selection is used with the advantage ofreducing time and cost of the research and also simplifies theinvestigation while retaining almost the same degree of accuracyof a random sample (Osuola, 2001; Kumekpor, 2002). The snowball sampling technique was used to ensure that female - headedhouseholds and the elderly in the community were included,(Adapted from Yeboah, 2005) as well as key informants suchas assembly persons, magazias, chiefs,and “Tindana’s”. In all
one hundred and thirty-five (135) people comprising of one
hundred and five (105) farming household heads and thirty(30) key informants were interviewed in the District.
Secondary data for this study was literature taken frombooks, articles, and journals in various libraries and the internet.
The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics
such as frequencies and percentages and the results presented
in tables, charts and graphs, using the Statistical Package forSocial Sciences and Excel software’s.
Results/discussion
The findings of the study showed that farmers have noticed
variations in climate and their views on these variations are
similar to those of scientists. They perceived that the climate isgetting drier as they noted decreasing amounts of rainfall for aseason, changes in onset and end time of rainfall and increasing
incidence of flooding. Farmers pointed to a decrease in rainfall
amounts for a season because it was reported to start lateand end early but in actual fact seasonal amounts might not
be decreasing but the distribution in the season might be theproblem. They associated climate variability with spirituality
as some of them think it is because they have wronged God.
They seemed to have no idea about the activities of humans
especially the emission of greenhouse destabilizing gases inthe developed countries. Whilst a few of them did not know
the causes, others attributed it to the improper use of somechemicals for farming.
The farmers have been trying to adapt to the adverse situation in various ways, such as soil moisture conservation,
mixed farming and use of improved crop varieties with short
growth periods with maize cultivation of varieties of shortduration on the increase. Other coping strategies in the wakeof changing climate were avoiding flood prone areas during therainy season or planting early maturing crops, planting trees
in flood prone areas. Farm management practices such as bush
fallow, burning of crop residue and planting on flat farmlands
were scarcely practiced, with more people ready to plant trees
if given seedlings. They also engaged more in livestock rearing
65

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Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)especially goats and poultry because they are highly prolificand less expensive.
Conclusion
Coping strategies adopted by the farmers were mainly in theareas of soil moisture and fertility improvement measures but
are not new, and appeared as intensifications. These intensifications might not to be sufficient as they are currently not able
to improve crop yield and should these variations in climate
become worse, farmers could be helpless.
References• Kumekpor, T.K.B (2002). Research methods and techniques of social
research. Accra, Ghana.Sonlife Press & Services.
• Osuola, E.C. (2001). Introduction to research methodology (3rded.).
Onitsha, Nigeria: Africana-First Publishers Limited.
• Reid, H., Alam, M.,Berger, R.,Cannon, T.,Huq, S. & Milligan, A. (2009).
Community-based adaptation to climate change: an overview.
Participatory learning and action,60, 11-38. IIED, Nottingham, UK.
Russell Press.
• Yeboah, R.W.N (2005). Climate variability and small farmer’s
economic decision-making processes: The case of Bongo District,
Upper East Region, Ghana.PhD Thesis Legon.

E8
Reducing greenhouse gas
emission from ruminants
through the use ofindigenous browse plants
Ansah T.1,2, Wilkinson R.G.2,
Huntington J.2, Dei H.K1
1
University for Development studies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Department of Animal Science,
P. O. Box 1882, Tamale, Ghana
2
Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK
Email: ansahterry@yahoo.com

Abstract
The study was carried out to investigate the in vitro methane
production from wheat straw supplemented with three different
leaves of tropical browse plants. Leaves of Ceiba pentandra,
Senna siamea and Gmelina arborea were harvested at the startof dry seasons (October, 2011) in the Northern Region of
Ghana. The leaves were shade dried and milled through a 2mmsieve screen. This was mixed with wheat straw in a proportionof 60:40 (wheat straw: leaves) and incubated in buffered rumen fluid using the continuous culture technique in a Latin
square design. The results of the study showed that methane66

gas production was reduced by 38%, 19% and 19% when wheat
straw was supplemented with Ceiba pentandra, Gmelina arborea
and Senna siamea respectively. The in vitro gas production(IVGP) which is a measure of the extent to which the substrate
is being digested by the anaerobic rumen microbes was in therange of 28mls/g DM to 37mls/g DM. The lowest IVGP wasrecorded in the Ceiba pentandra supplemented diet with thehighest recorded in the unsupplemented wheat straw. The
difference in the IVGP was however not significantly different.
There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in pH and ammonia
nitrogen of the media after 12hours of incubation. The study
revealed that methane gas production of wheat straw reduced
by 19-39% when supplemented with browse plants with thehighest reduction recorded in Ceiba pentandra.
Introduction
The feeding of cereal based crop residue like rice straw is a very
common practice in the Northern region of Ghana especially inthe dry season. It serves as a readily available source of energy
for ruminant during this period. Cereal based straws are often
associated with high fibre and low nitrogen (Ansah et al., 2011).
Highly fibrous feedstuff usually has a longer rumen retention
time and reduces feed intake. Mills et al. (2003) suggested that
increased feed intake results in lower methane gas production.
Rumen fermentation of poor quality forage produces moremethane gas than fermentation of better quality forages (O’Hara et al., 2003). Methane contributes 24% to global warming,and methane emission from rumen fermentation is the largest
single source of methane (Hansen et al., 2000). According to
IPCC (1996), Dairy cattle from Africa and the Middle East
produce 36kg/head of methane annually. Condensed tannins,a plant secondary metabolite present in most browse plants
have received great attention for its ability to reduce methane
production (Carulla et al., 2005). The present study seeks toinvestigate the extent to which methane gas is reduced when
wheat straw is supplemented with different browse plants at
40% inclusion.
Materials and methods
Three browse plants were used as supplement to a low nitrogencontaining straw in a proportion of 40% DM browse to 60%
DM straw. The treatments were Ceiba pentandra+straw (CP+S),
Senna siamea+Straw (SS+S), Gmelina arborea+Straw (GA+S).
The samples were milled using a hammer mill with the aid of a
1mm sieve screen. Sole straw (SS) without any supplementation
was used as a control. The 4*4 Latin square design was used forthis study with each experiment (run) lasting a total of 14days.
The first 8 days was used as an adjustment period with actual
data collection commencing on the 9th to the 14th day. Rumen
fluid was collected from 4 different rams fitted with a fistula.
The animals had an average weight of 95kg and were fed on
straw and concentrate (Wynnstay ram master coarse mix,UK) at a rate of 1.1x maintenance requirement (AFRC1993).
Buffer was prepared according to the method of McDougall,(1948) and modified to contain 13.82mg/day (ammonium
sulphate) (NH4)2SO4 to supply 2.93mg/day of nitrogen. The
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

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Table 1 Percentage chemical composition of experimental diet
Diet

DM

OM

CP

Ash

NDF

ADF

CT g/kg

SS

92.45±0.16

84.57±0.33

3.59±0.11

7.87±0.16

75.99±0.39

57.62±1.07

ND

SeS+straw

92.22±0.07

85.10±0.06

9.54±0.09

7.12±0.01

38.58±2.05

38.53±1.62

1.8±0.19

GA+straw

92.07±0.22

84.17±0.10

9.69±0.10

7.90±0.13

32.46±0.98

38.91±0.44

3.7±0.21

CP+straw

91.38±1.2383.60±0.65

9.23±0.03

7.78±0.59

35.73±1.46

41.63±0.48102.8±1.70

CT: condensed tannin, ND: Not determined, The CT reported in this table represents CT in only the browse plants and not browse plants
and straw.

Table 2 Total gas, gas composition and ammonia nitrogen of treatments
Diet

Total gas
(ml/gDM)

Methane(ml/gDM)

Co2(ml/gDM)

H2(ml/gDM)

NH3N(mg/l)

SS
SeS+straw
GA+straw
CP+straw
P.value
Std. Error

37.33
30.33
33.17
28.83
0.88
7.94

5.38 (14.4)
4.34 (14.3)
4.37 (13.1)
3.34 (11.6)
0.63
1.08

16.19 (43.4)
15.48 (51.0)
15.86 (47.8)
11.74 (40.7)
0.86
4.15

0.06
0.08
0.06
0.05
0.79
0.02

75.00
77.85
74.72
75.47
0.952
0.114

SS: Sole straw, SeS+Straw: Senna siamen, GA+Straw: Gmelina arborea, CP+straw: Ceiba pentandra; Figures in parenthesis are a percentageof the total gas accounted for by methane and carbon dioxide

buffer consisted of 9.8g/l NaHCO3, 2.77g/l Na2HPO4 0.47g/l
NaCl, 0.57g/l KCl, 0.04g/l CaCl2, 0.06g/l MgCl2. The rumen
fluid and buffer was mixed in a proportion of 57% and 43%
respectively. Approximately 15g of test diet was fed at 12 hours
interval with buffer continuously pumped into the vessels
containing the substrate at rate of 60ml/hrs. The vessels werefitted with gas collection bags to collect the total gas produced
and the composition of the gas analysed using the portablebiogas analyser (PGD3-IR).
The data was analysed using ANOVA from Genstat 12.1
(2006). The results are presented in tables.
Results and Discussion
In vitro gas production (IVGP) gives an indication of the extent
to which the carbohydrate of the substrate is being fermented
by anaerobic microbes in the rumen (France et al., 2000). The
total gas produced from CP+straw is about 23% lower than thegas produced from SS and the methane gas was also 38% lower.
The result shows that the combination of CP and straw reduced
both digestibility and methane production. Ceiba pentandra
contains a CT of 102.8g/kg (Table 1) and this might accountfor the reduction in total gas production and methane gas
production. The reduction in methane might be attributed
to the inhibition of the two main bacteria (Ruminococcus flavefasciencs and Ruminococcus albus) in the rumen responsible
for production of hydrogen which serves as a primary raw
material for methanogenic bacteria to produce methane (Van
Gylswyk, 1995). The replacement of straw with 40% CP, GA
and CS resulted in 38%, 19% and 19% respectively, reduction
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

in methane production. This result agrees with Hariadi andSantoso (2010) who observed a decrease in IVGP and methane
production when Pennisetum purpureum was supplemented
with Acacia mangium which contained total tannin of 54g/
kg. Condensed tannin has been reported to directly inhibit
microbial attachment to the cell wall of plants in the rumen
there by reducing the digestibility of the browse plants (Bae etal., 1993). Condensed tannins also reduced methane production
through a reduction in fibre digestion, which decreases theamount of H2 production and also by directly inhibiting the
growth of methanogens (Tavendale et al., 2005). Percentage
of methane produced per gram dry matter was 14.4% for SS
compared with 11.6% for CP+straw. This means more energy
was lost to methane production in SS compared to CP+SS.
Conclusion and recommendation
The results indicate that replacing straw with 40% browse
plants reduced methane production by 19-39% with Ceiba
pentandra resulting in the highest reduction.
Further study is recommended to investigate the effectof these browse plants on Ruminococcus flavefasciencs andRuminococcus albus since they are responsible for hydrogenproduction in the rumen.
Acknowledgement
The first author wishes to thank the commonwealth scholarshipsecretariat for providing the needed funds for this study.

67

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)References• Mills JAN, Kebreabs E, Yates CM, Crompton LA, Cammell SB, Dhanoa
MS, Agnew RE, Frances J (2003). Alternative approaches to predicting
methane emissions from dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 81: 3141–3150.
• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change) (1996) Revised
IPCC Guidelines forNational Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Reference
Manual http://www.ipccnggip. iges.or.jp/public/gl/invs1.htm• Ansah T, Teye GA, and Addah W (2011) Effect of Whole-cotton seedsupplementation on growth performance and haematologicalproperties of Djallonke sheep. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 1(5): 155159. Jhttp://www.ojafr.ir• O’Hara P, Freney J, Ulyatt M (2003) Abatement of agricultural NonCarbon Dioxide Greenhouse Gas Emissions. http://www.maf.govt.nz/
mafnet/rural-nz, lasted visited 18.10.04• Hansen J, Sato M, Ruedy R, Lacis A, Oinas V (2000) Global warming in
the twentyfirst centry: An alternative scenario. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.
97: 9875–9880.
• Carulla JE, Kreuzer M, Machmuller A, Hess HD (2005)
Supplementation of Acacia mearnsii tannins decreases
methanogenesis and urinary nitrogen in forage-fed sheep.
• Hariadi BT and Santoso B (2010) Evaluation of tropical plants
containing tannin on in vitro methanogenesis and fermentation
parameters using rumen fluid, J Sci Food Agric 2010; 90: 456–461• Tavendale MH, Meagher MP, Pacheco D, Walker N, Attwood GT and
Sivakumaran S (2005) Methane production from in vitro incubations
with Lotus penduculatus and Medigo sativa, and effects of extractablecondensed tannin fractions on methanogenesis. Anim Feed Sci Tecnol
123–124:403–419• France J, Dijkstra J, Dhanoa MS, Lopez S, Bannink A (2000)
Estimating the extent of degradation of ruminant feeds In vitro gas
production and neutral detergent fiber digestion from a description of
their gas production profiles observed in vitro: Derivation of models
and other mathematical considerations. Br. J. Nutr. 83:143–150.
• McDougall EI (1948) Studies on ruminant saliva. The composition andoutput of sheep’s saliva. Biochem. J. 43: 99–109.
• Van Gylswyk, NO (1995). Factors limiting proliferation of desirable
groups of bacteria in the rumen of animals fed poor quality feedsof high fiber content. Proceedings of the Rumen Ecology Researchplanning workshop held at ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

E9
Evaluating yield responseof paddy rice to irrigation
with application of
the aquacrop model innorthern region of Ghana
S. Ganiyu1, N.kye-Baffour2, W. Agyare2, W. Dogbe3
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana;
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi, Ghana;
3
Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, Ghana
Email: sganiyu2000@gmail.com
1
2

68

Abstract
Yield of lowland paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) is sensitive towater application regimes, which can be affected by irrigation
management. The objective of this study was to analyse theresponse of rice yield to different irrigation water application
regimes of rice grown both at On-Station and On-Farm indry season by using the AquaCrop model. The experiments
were conducted in 2012 at On-Station and 2013 at On-Farmwith five treatments (continuous flooding vs. field capacity
moisture content, saturation soil condition, 10 ETc and 15
ETc). The model was calibrated in terms of green canopy cover,
aboveground dry biomass, harvest index and paddy rice yield.
The validation of the model using efficiency criteria ((R2),
RMSE, RMSE-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR),
Index of agreement (d) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE))
showed satisfactory simulation results for biomass, harvest
index, yield and green canopy cover. The AquaCrop model
proved to be robust and applicable for paddy rice under various
irrigation regimes, although it underestimates the dry biomass
and grain yield for all the other irrigation methods except forfield capacity. The simulated rice yield was highly sensitive tothe maximum canopy cover. Because the AquaCrop model wasapplied to the paddy rice crop for the first time in Northern
Ghana and this research was site-specific, the model need to
be further tested with different climate conditions, soil types,
and other rice varieties in Ghana.
Introduction
Agriculture is the largest consumer of water, on the average
80 % of water consumption in developing countries (Gately,1995). Overuse of water can lead to the depletion of surface
and groundwater resources, causing water shortages (Merla,1998). Increasing water scarcity call for the need to optimise
its use in all human activities, particularly in irrigation, themain water use sector worldwide. Irrigation currently uses
more water than all other users and agriculture faces competing
demands for water from other sectors (Toung and Bouman,
2002). Estimating attainable yield under water-limiting conditions will remain central in arid, semi-arid and drought-prone
environments.
To address this need, FAO has developed a yield-response towater model. AquaCrop is a crop water productivity simulation
model for estimating yield response of field crops (cereals, roots
and tubers and legumes), vegetables and tree crops to water.
The research therefore analysed the response of rice yield todifferent irrigation water application regimes for rice grownboth at On-Station and On-Farm in dry season by using the
AquaCrop model.
Materials and Methods
Study site description and experimental design
The study area comprised On-Station research at the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in Tolon District
and On-Farm research at Bontanga Irrigation Scheme at
Kumbungu District, both in the Northern Region of Ghana.
The two districts together used to be one district called theInternational Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

Tolon-Kumbungu District, which lies between latitudes 9o 15′
and 10o 02′ N and Longitudes 0o 53′ and 1o 25′ W.
The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block
design with four replicates. The treatments were distributed
randomly and independently in each block using draw lots
method. The variety of rice that was used for the experiments
was “Gbewaa”, the “Jasmine 85” (115 days). Nursing of seeds wasdone at SARI for both On-Station and On-Farm experiments at
2012/2013 and 2013/2014 dry seasons. Transplanting was done
manually at a spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm and one seedling per
stand. Plot size was 1 m x 1 m for the On-Station experiments
and 1m x 7 m for the On-Farm experiments. Data from dry
season’s On-Station experiments and On-Farm experiment werecollected using five (5) treatments comprising of the following:
Surface irrigation with applied water equal to the: Field
Capacity (FC) moisture content of the soil, (W1); the Saturationsoil moisture content (SC), (W2); Continuous flooding up to 10
cm to be used as control (W3); 10 ETc, (W4) and 15 ETc, (W5).
All treatments were replicated four (4) times.
Aquacrop Model Calibration and Validation
The model was calibrated using data of the first production year
obtained from the On-Station experiment in 2012/2013. The
calibration was done using parameters such as: harvest index,
canopy cover at maximum tiller, grain yield and total above
ground biomass during the growing period. Other information used was soil profile and texture and climatic (daily andmonthly) data from Tamale synoptic station and SARI climate
station, field management practices and irrigation regimes
and schedule. The recommended values provided for the rice
crop parameters were also used for the calibration/validation
exercises of the AquaCrop model with experimental data.
The model performance was evaluated using goodness-of-fit
statistics such as the Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) by
Nash and Sutcliffe (1970), the Pearson’s coefficient of determination (R2), the index of agreement (d) by Willmot (1981), Root
Mean Square Error (RMSE) and RMSE-observations standard
deviation ratio (RSR) the On-Farm experiment in 2013/2014.
Results and Discussion
Relationship between Observed and Simulated Grain Yield,
Biomass, Harvest Index and Maximum Canopy Cover for the
On-Station and On-Farm Experiment
The relative errors of simulated grain yield and biomass were
between -0.31% to 6.51% and -12% to 6.74%, respectively for
On-station. However, with respect to On-farm, the relative
errors of simulated grain yield and biomass were between-4.814 % to 1.078 % and -0.720 % to 4.668 %, respectively. These showed an agreement between the simulated andobserved above ground biomass and grain yield. The relative
errors of simulated harvest index was from -0.56% to 5.64% for
On-Station. The model has not only slightly over-estimated HI
for W2, W3 and W4, but also under-estimated HI for W1 (5.6)
with W5 given exact value for both simulated and observed HI(0). However, with respect to On-Farm, the relative errors ofsimulated HI was between 0.688 % and 10.03 %. Accordingly,
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

C

D

E

the results of these studies show that the AquaCrop modelis capable of simulating harvest index. However, the relative
errors of simulated canopy cover were between 5.02 and 9.49%
for On-Station. However, with respect to On-Farm, the relative
errors of simulated CC was between -0.161 to 2.258 %. Accordingly, the results of these studies show that the Aquacrop
model is capable of simulating canopy cover, but with slight
difficulties as compared to the other parameters.
Validation of Aquacrop Model Using On-Station and
On-Farm Experiment Results
The results of index of agreement (d) and coefficient of determination r2 for grain yield, biomass, harvest index and canopy
cover simulations for different irrigation treatments wereobtained between 0.523 and 0.986 for d and 0.81 to 0.99 for
r2 in 2012/2013 and between 0.806 and 0.995 for d and 0.938
and 0.999 for r2 in 2013/2014 for On-Station and On-Farmrespectively with canopy cover giving the lowest value, while
grain yield gave the highest value for the two study areas. This
therefore suggests that the ranges of values for the various
parameters were within acceptable limits. With respect toNash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), the simulations for different
irrigation treatments were between -4.642 and 0.859 for thevarious parameters under investigation for On-Station whilethat of On-Farm ranged between -0.87 and 0.984. Canopy covers
ones again yielded the lowest value of efficiency while grain yieldgave the highest value. This implies that the model performancefor canopy cover is not acceptable. Also, the ranges of RMSE
and RSR in these simulations for different irrigation treatments
were from 0.085 to 5.899 and from 0.375 to 5.643 respectively
for On-station experiment. In the case of On-farm experiment,
the ranges are from 0.127 to 1.687 for RMSE and between 0.126
and 1.87 for RSR. This therefore indicates that the AquaCropmodel has a good simulation for all the parameters. The values of
RMSE showed a better simulation for the grain yield (0.435 t/ha)and (0.127t/ha) than the biomass (1.106 t/ha) and 0.364 t/ha.
Conclusion
The AquaCrop software was able to simulate well the canopy
cover, harvest index, biomass and yield of rice. The validation of
the model using efficiency criteria ((R2), RMSE, RMSE-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR), Index of agreement (d) andNash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE)) showed satisfactory simulation
results for biomass, harvest index, yield and. The AquaCropmodel proved to be robust and applicable for paddy rice undervarious irrigation regimes. Therefore, this model can be used
as a decision support tool in increasing water productivity by
project managers, consultants, irrigation engineers and farmers.
References• Gately, D. (1995): Potential for international and national water
conflicts is high in coming years according to research organization.
Available online at: www.ifpri.org• Merla, A. (1998): A commitment to the global environment: The roleof GEF and international waters. Presented at the International
Conference of Water and Sustainable Development, Paris, Mar. 19-21,
1998.

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ABSTRACTS

Implication of Climate and Ecosystem Changes on Agricultural Production (II)• Nash ,J. E. and Sutcliffe, J. V (1970). River flow forecasting throughconceptual models, Part I-Adiscussionofprinciples,J.Hydrol.,10,282–290.
• Willmot, C.J. (1981). On the validation of models, Physical Geography,
2,184–194.
• Tuong, T. P.; and B. A. M. Bouman. (2002). Rice production in waterscarce environments. In Water productivity in agriculture: Limits andopportunities for improvement, ed. J. W. Kijne. Wallingford, UK: CABI
(in press).

E10
Farmers’ livelihoods andwelfare impacts in Wa West
district, Upper West regionof Ghana
Samuel A. Donkoh1*, William Adzawla1,
Isaac Gershon1, Victor Lolig1, Francis Obeng1,
Yasuko Kusakari2, Godfred Jasaw3,
Kwabena Asubonteng 4 , Frederick Dayour5,
Togbiga Dzivenu5, Bizoola Ganda1,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic1
University for Development Studies (UDS) Nyankpala campus,
Northern Region, Ghana

1

Email: *sdonkoh@uds.edu.gh
2
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science - Global Leadership
Initiative (GPSS-GLI), The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-shi,
Chiba, Japan
United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

3

United Nations University – Institute for Natural Resources inAfrica (UNU-INRA), Legon-Accra, Ghana
5
University for Development Studies (UDS) Wa campus, Upper
West Region, Ghana
4Introduction
The ultimate aim of governments and their development partners is to increase the welfare of the people. This is especially
so in drought and flood-prone farming communities in thenorthern part of Ghana. Ghana is a middle income country but
the nation has a lot of developmental challenges, especially inrecent years of global economic downturn and climate variability. While the nation as a whole is at the lower middle income
level, economic challenges in the northern part are even more
precarious. The Wa West District is no exception. Over the years
though, the district has had a fair share of the development
programmes and projects in the region, all aimed at diversifying
the sources of livelihood of the people. However, it would not
be true to say that all the members of the communities have70

equal access to these opportunities, neither can one jump into
conclusion, without an empirical study, that the number of income generating activities necessarily translates into increased
welfare. It is against this backdrop that a study to investigate
the determinants of livelihood activities and its effects onparticipants’ welfare is necessary.
Objectives
The main objective of the study was to investigate the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ engagements in livelihoods(L) and its effects on their welfare (W).
Materials and Methods
The objective of the study implies an estimation of L equation
with W as one of the explanatory variables. However, W itself
may be determined by L also, which means that both L and W
are both endogenous. Thus, there is simultaneity between thetwo variables. In this case, an estimation of a single equation by
the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) would result in simultaneous
equation bias ,which means that we are not able to measure thetrue effects of L on W and vice versa. The appropriate method
is the Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS) (Koutsoyiannis, 1977).
A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to selecta total of 184 farmers from four communities in the Wa West
District, which is located in the western part of the Upper West
Region of Ghana. The four communities, Baleufili, Bankpama,
Chietanga, and Zowayeli, were selected through comprehensive
selection processes, based on agro-ecological, engineering, andsocio-economic resilience/vulnerabilities under a project titled“Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in
Semi-Arid Africa: An Integrated Approach (CECAR-Africa)”
in 2012.
Eighteen socioeconomic activities were identified including
crop farming, livestock rearing, poultry keeping, shea butter
processing, pito (local beer) brewing, charcoal making, fishingand trading. Welfare indicators included farmers’ cash and foodsecurity, affordability of health care and renovation of houses
as well as level of happiness.
The survey adopted semi-structured individual interviews,
which were conducted in local languages (Waale, Dagaati, andBrifori). Visual observations of some socio-economic characteristics, such as housing type, clothing, livelihood assets,nutritional status of family members, and reactions of interviewees to various questions, were also made throughout theinterviews.
The empirical model of the study is as follows:(Livelihood)(Welfare)
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

B

C

D

E

Table 1: Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Livelihood function
Variable

CoefficientStandard error

T-Value

P-ValueAge-1.4919***0.0430-34.730.000

Sex-0.7668***

0.0221-34.720.000

Education-1.1891***

0.0324-36.740.000

Household size

0.8474***0.0259

32.71

0.000

Welfare47.7423***

1.1990

39.82

0.000

Constant-59.9809***1.5196-39.470.000*** Significant at 1%

Table 2: Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Welfare function
Variable

CoefficientStandard error

T-Value

P-ValueAge

0.6059***0.0204

29.77

0.000

Sex

-0.6015***0.0182-33.030.000

Education-0.1311****0.0074-17.730.000

Household size

-0.0105***

0.0004-24.210.000

Farm size

0.00220.0038

0.56

0.576

Livelihood activities

9.8222***0.2832

34.68

0.000

Constant-3.8929***0.1496-26.020.000*** Significant at 1%

Results and Discussion
From the estimation results in Tables 1 and 2, all the variables,
except farm size, were significant, most of them maintaining
their expected signs. The factors that negatively influenced
the number of Ls of farmers were age, sex and education.
Household size and welfare however, had positive effects on
L. This means that the number of L was high for the following
category of farmers: relatively young farmers; females; farmers
with little or no formal education, farmers with larger families
and richer farmers. Similarly, the factors that negatively influenced W were sex, education and household size. The positive
determinants of W were age and L. This also implies that W
was higher for the following categories: older farmers; female
farmers, farmers with little or no education, farmers withsmaller family size and farmers with a number of Ls.
Conclusion
Putting the two results together, we can conclude that eventhough younger farmers and farmers with big family size had
engaged in more Ls, this did not translate into increasing
their welfare. These categories of farmers must be targeted
for policy formulation. In general, however, we recommend thepromotion of more Ls so us to increase the welfare of farmers.
Reference• Koutsoyiannis, A (1977): Theory of Econometrics (2nd edition).
Palgrave MacMillan

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

71

FThursday 7 th August 2014
13:30 – 17:00

ABSTRACTS

SESSIONF1 » 10F

Capacity Assessment
and Resilience Enhancement

Studies of resilience efforts by farmers in northern Ghana: indigenous tillage practices used
to reduce to the effect of rainfall and temperature variation
74
Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies in school curricula in Ghana: an
exploratory study
74
Assessment of capacity building initiatives towards enhancing resilience to climate change in
Ghana: the role of University education
76
Capacity development approaches for improved resilience in rural communities: key lessons
from Tolon district of northern Ghana
77
Enhancing sustainable development for rural communities in semi-arid regions of Ghana –evidence from Baleufili in Wa West District
77
Capacity assessment framework, processes and indicators: lessons from a sustainable rural
livelihoods project in northern Ghana
79
An assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices among organizations on climatechange in Tolon and Wa West districts, northern Ghana
80
Agronomic and marketing innovation enhances vegetable farmers’ resilience

80

Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers in east Mamprusi
district of northern region, Ghana
81
Disability, climate change and human security. Policy implications for Ghana

81

ABSTRACTS

Capacity Assessment and Resilience Enhancement

F1
Studies of resilience efforts
by farmers in northern
Ghana: indigenous tillage
practices used to reduce tothe effect of rainfall andtemperature variation

zero tillage. The practice of these methods depends on the soil
type, weed infestation, soil depth and its fertility level.
Climatic elements cannot be controlled; however, methodsof land clearing and tillage may help reduce the effects of climatic parameters on the crop. Identifying and evaluating themethods of land clearing and tillage by farmers in Northern
Ghana and their effect in reducing some climatic effects affecting crop production need to be assessed for the best practices
to be modified and used widely.

F2
Mainstreaming disasterrisk reduction (DRR)
strategies in school
curricula in Ghana: an
exploratory study

Gandaa Z. B, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Email: zinzoola@yahoo.com

Abstract
Traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous people
have, over the years, played a significant part in solving theirlivelihood problems. These practices may be used in addressing
challenges related to climate variability. Indigenous people
live close to natural resources and often observe the activities
around them and are able to identify and adapt to changes.
Indigenous people have frequently used biodiversity as a buffer
against variation, change and/or catastrophes; if one crop fails,
another will survive. In coping with risk due to excessive or low
rainfall, drought and crop failure, some traditional practices
have been used for a very long time, such as mixed cropping(crops of different varieties and susceptibility to drought and/or floods). The diversity of crops and food resources is often
matched by a similar diversity in location of fields, as a safetymeasure to ensure that in the face of extreme weather, somefields will survive to produce harvestable crops.
Adaptation to climate variation also includes adjustments inbehaviour or economic structure that reduce the vulnerability of
local society to changes in the climate system. Whether people
can adapt, and for how long, also depends on the resources
available to them. Northern Ghana is vulnerable to the negative
impacts of climate variation and at the same time has low
adaptive capacity due to the people’s general poverty. But thepeople, particularly at the local level, are making efforts toadjust to the changes they observe.
Tillage practices used in Northern Ghana are generally
ploughing or ridging using tractor or bullocks, mounds orcamber beds preparation or direct planting on previously
tilled lands. The type of tillage used depends on the region,
ethnic group and the environment (drought or flood prone)
among others.
Additional methods of land preparation practices are ‘slashand burn’, traditional land clearing, still used in some parts of
the region, or leaving the weeds unburnt, clean clearing and74

Priscilla Toloo Apronti1*, Saito Osamu1,
John Boakye-Danquah2, Yaw Agyeman Boafo1
United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability, Tokyo, Japan
2
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
1*
Corresponding Author
Email: prisvanti@gmail.com
Tel: +81 8040894989
1

Introduction
Natural disasters are integral part of human society. They cannot be eliminated but man can only mitigate the risk in order toreduce damage and save more lives and properties. The impactsof natural disasters such as floods, volcanic eruption, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts and wild fires on man is dependent
on the level of vulnerability, exposure and ability to adapt toand recover from hazards (Brooks et. al., 2005). Contextually,
vulnerability measures the degree to which a society or anindividual is susceptible to a hazard (Cutter, 1996; McCarthy,
2001; Eakin & Luers, 2006; Taubenbock et. al., 2008).
In order to reduce the level of vulnerability and enhance
the resilience of individuals and communities to disasters
aggravated by climate change, education for disaster prevention, preparedness and management is crucial. In line withinternational efforts and programs aimed at addressing thecomplexities of disasters such as the UN International Decadefor Natural Disaster Risk Reduction (1990’s) and the development of the Hyogo framework, the Government of Ghanawith support from various stakeholders has initiated efforts at
integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into school curricula
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

25	  Percep&on	
  on	
  Integra&on	
  of	
  DRR	
  topics	
  

C

D

E

Source: Author’s Field work, 2014

23	
  

20	
  
15	
  

B

17	
  
13	
  
10	
  

10	
  

7	
  

10	
  
5	
  
0	
  

PUBIC	
  

PRIVATE	
  

TYPE	
  OF	
  INSTITUTION	
  Teaching	
  of	  disaster	
  related	
  topics	
  TOTAL	  Teaching	
  of	  disaster	
  related	
  topics	
  across the country. Taking into account that these efforts
are at their early stages, concerns have been raised about thepracticability and government’s structural readiness. This
research, thus aimed at assessing the level of mainstreamingof DRR education into pre-tertiary school curricula in Ghanafrom the perspective of teachers.
Materials and Methods
This research relied on primary and secondary data to draw
conclusions and come out with recommendations. Primarydata for this study was obtained through the use of structured
questionnaire interviews with teachers from selected schools
within the La Nkwantanang District of the Greater Accra
Region. The studied schools comprising of two private andtwo public, were purposively selected with the assumptionthat an observable difference in responses to the level of DRR
integration may exist between teachers from the two categories
of schools. The schools included Presec Staff Primary and St
Andrews JHS (public), St Lutheran School (private), Madina
Secondary (public) and Preset School (private). Using structured
questionnaires, forty teachers composing of ten from eachschool were purposely selected for interviewing. The questionnaires administered were categorized into four sections withthe first section addressing the demographics of respondents.
The next section explored the knowledge and experience of
respondents of disasters and how they responded to them. The
third section examined the perception of teachers on DRR in
subjects taught in the schools with emphasis on their subjectof teaching. It also sought to identify the time, practices andactivities that goes into the teaching of topics related to DRR
and the kinds of teaching and learning materials used. The lastsection solicited answers on possible collaborations between
schools and disaster management organisations.
Informal interviews with personnel from the National
Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Ghana
Education Service (GES) were conducted. This allowed for a
first-hand knowledge of past and present actions, policies
and frameworks relating to disaster risk reduction efforts
in curricula development in Ghana. Secondary data for this
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Figure 1. Perception of teachers on
the level to which disaster topics
have been mainstream

study came from the National Disaster Management Policy
for Ghana drafted in 2010 and a report (yet to be published)on the assessment of the various subjects into which DRR
has been integrated was obtained from NADMO. The latter
report guided the research in selecting the subject of which therespective teachers from the selected schools were contacted.
The secondary data obtained from NADMO was reviewed while
the primary data obtained from the questionnaires were codedand entered into IBM SPSS for further analysis.
Results and Discussion
Regarding disasters, prevention, response and management
were identified by respondents as crucial in a world whereclimate change has worsened the impacts of disasters on
human life and property. All 40 respondents emphasized on
the importance of educating students on disaster issues. In
acknowledging children (students) among the most vulnerable
group in society especially to natural disasters, they also serveas excellent agents of communication. It was reiterated thattraining students on issues related to disasters, not only help insaving their lives but also that of their family and community.
However, further investigation revealed that 80% of respondents had not undergone any form of training or had any formof education on disasters to equip them in the discharge of
their duties to students. Also, the knowledge and exposure of
respondents to the term ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ showed a
low trend. Out of the 40 teachers sampled from four different
schools, only 45% (18) of respondents had heard of the termfrom the media, interactions with disaster management organizations, personal research works and as part of their studies
in the tertiary institution. The other 55% (22) of respondents
had not come across the term before.
Some respondents which comprise 57.5% (23 people) ofrespondents said topics on disasters had been mainstreamed
into other subjects. By comparison, the perception of teachers
within the public and private schools on the level of to which
disaster topics had been integration into schools revealed
that majority of teachers within the public schools agreed tothis (13 of 20 respondents). On the other hand, 10 out of 20
75

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ABSTRACTS

Capacity Assessment and Resilience Enhancement

respondents (50%) from the private schools held the opinion
that topics on disasters are mainstreamed into the curriculum.
Figure 1, show the result.
However, all 23 teachers believed the current topics on
disasters were too shallow and woefully inadequate in transmitting the necessary knowledge students needed to prevent,manage and respond to disasters. One of the respondents fromthe primary level was noted saying:‘We only talk about the various types and forms of disaster during
the period for citizenship. We don’t go beyond this since issues of
response and management during periods of disasters have not been
included in the curriculum. We also do not have enough time andteaching materials even if we wanted to go further’Teachers within the JHS and SHS especially those teaching
English and Ghanaian language and culture stated categoricallythat they did not directly teach students about disasters but
sometime gave them writing assignments that involved elements of disaster. They conducted no form of drills or practicalsessions with students on disasters. Respondents therefore
identified their lack of training together with insufficient time,inadequate teaching and learning materials on the topic, a lackof appreciation by students for issues of disasters and the not
too in-depth nature of disaster topic which have been integrated into other subjects as setbacks in the process of teaching
DRR topic. This study found slight variations in the subjects
identified by teachers as containing disaster topics and thoselisted by GES in the report from NADMO. These variations
may be accounted for by the seemingly limited knowledge ofteachers in subjects outside their expertise. It might also be that
respondents did not actually handle any disaster related topics
within these subjects and thus saw no need to include them intheir list. However, social studies and integrated science cameup highly recommended by most respondents within the JHS
and SHS level. Also, the study was unable to contact all teacher
handling subjects list by the GES as having topics on disasters.
Conclusion
In an era of increased climate-induced disasters with theirassociated impacts on human life and property across theworld, education for disaster prevention, preparedness andmanagement has become fundamental Findings from this study
however reveals that the topics on disasters are insubstantial
and unable to adequately address issues of disaster prevention,
response and management. Teachers suggested that topics on
disaster should be made a subject on its own with textbooks
and visual aids being produced and supplied solely for that
purpose. They were however quick to point out that the current
curriculum structure and the work load on both teachers andstudents, this will not be feasible and thus called on Ghana
Education Service to help clean-up the syllabus.
The research thus, calls not only on government but also
disaster management organizations like the National Fire andRescue Service and NADMO to actively engage teachers in theform of training and seminars to adequately prepare them to76

deliver their best to students. Also, extra-curricular activities
within schools could be shifted a bit toward disaster educationand the various clubs teaching disasters must be strengthened
and well-resourced to impart the necessary knowledge and skillof disaster prevention, management and response to students.
Topics on disasters in various subjects should move toward
developing a culture of prevention within students and should
also focus on practical steps that can be taken by students when
they are faced with any form of disaster.
References• Brooks, N., Neil Adger, W., & Mick Kelly, P. The determinants ofvulnerability and adaptive capacity at the national level and theimplications for adaptation. Global environmental change, 15(2),151-163, 2005.
• Cutter, S. L. Vulnerability to environmental hazards. Process inhuman geography 20(4), pg. 529-539, 1996.
• Eakin, H., & Luers, A. L. Assessing the vulnerability of socialenvironmental systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources,31(1), 365, 2006.
• Taubenböck, H., Post, J., Roth, A., Zosseder, K., Strunz, G., & Dech, S.
A conceptual vulnerability and risk framework as outline to identify
capabilities of remote sensing. Natural Hazards and Earth System
Science, 8(3), 409-420, 2008

F3
Assessment of capacity
building initiatives
towards enhancing
resilience to climate change
in Ghana: the role ofUniversity education
Isaac Agyapong
Department of Geography and Resource Development,
University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Email: agyapiks@yahoo.com

Abstract
Coping with global climate and ecosystem changes requires
developing countries with weak socioeconomic and resource
management regimes to devise adaptation strategies. Climate
is usually defined as the average weather condition of a place.
It includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity,
wind and seasons. Climate patterns play a fundamental rolein shaping natural ecosystems, human economies and culturesthat depend on them. But the inherited climate is not what it
used to be, because the past is no longer a reliable predictor
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

of the future. Our climate is rapidly changing with disruptive
impacts, and that change is progressing faster than any seenin the last 2,000 years. Climate Change, as a school of thought,
concerns itself with these environmental dynamics. Climate
Change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical
distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging fromdecades to millions of years. Climate Change is caused by factors
such as biotic processes, variations in solar radiation received
by Earth, plate tectonics, and volcanic eruptions. Humanactivities that produce ‘global warming’ are a significant partof the causes. Using environmental hermeneutic approach,this paper examines the role of tertiary education, throughGhana-based universities, in building local capacity towards
effective resilience and contextual adaptation.

F4
Capacity development
approaches for improved
resilience in ruralcommunities: key lessons
from Tolon district ofnorthern Ghana

DE

Keywords: Capacity development, Resilience, Community, Northern
Ghana

F5
Enhancing sustainable
development for ruralcommunities in semiarid regions of Ghana –evidence from Baleufili in
Wa West District

University for Development Studies, Nyankpala,
Tamale- Ghana

1

The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences³United Nations University-Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS)*Email: zromanus@yahoo.com

Cwere purposively sampled for the conduct of a face to faceinterview using unstructured questionnaires. At the community
level, three separate groups of young men, women and elders/traditional leaders were formed for separate focus group discussion sessions using a structured question guide in Zagua andKpalgun of Tolon District. The findings from the institutions
show the anticipatory as well as usual practice of discharging
statutory obligations to the local communities. Standard response mechanisms to vulnerable situations had constraints of
weak actor synergy and resource quality and timely availability.
The communities tend to know development intervention profile of actors they have worked with and remember most, thosethat have left concrete out puts such as boreholes, extension
service, disaster relief and market links amongst others. This
paper structures the key lessons from each group of respondents
into a working template for enhancing resilience to climatechange related capacity development support from NGOs,
Research Institutions and other Development Partners.

Romanus Ziem*1, Godfred Seidu Jasaw³,
Yasuko Kusakari2, Victor Lolig³,
Yaw Agyeman Boafo3, Osamu Saito3,
Kazuhiko Takeuchi32B

Mujeeb Rahaman Adams*1, Godfred Seidu Jasaw2
Centre for Society and Climate Change Affairs (CSCCA), P. O
Box UPW 7, Wa, UWR, Ghana

1

United Nations University-Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS)*1Corresponding Author- mujeebx@gmail.com

2

Abstract
This paper presents a template for designing capacity development interventions for local communities and supporting
institutions in semi–arid areas using lessons from Ghana.
Using participatory approaches, the researchers worked withlocal community stakeholders, other NGO actors and local
government authorities using qualitative tools to identify the
support systems needed to help local communities improvetheir resilience to climate and ecosystem changes. At theinstitutional level, key officials of the District Assembly suchas the Chief Executive, the District Planning Officer, District
Directors of Agriculture, Health and Education amongst others
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Abstract
The paper uses the Sustainable Livelihoods framework as
an analytical tool to present interplay of context, a set ofinnovative community activities and institutional support
systems that can inform sustainable interventions to help
development of rural communities facing threats of climate
variability. Community Resource Mapping was undertaken as
well as an inventory for community institutions contribution
to development. Face to face interviews were carried out
77

F

ABSTRACTS

Capacity Assessment and Resilience Enhancementfor 125 men, women and youth using a three generational
approach on detailed livelihood activities they were engaged
in. Focus group sessions were also held to confirm the findings
from the interviews. The results show that good road network,
irrigation infrastructure with appropriate water facility user
education and market based production of agricultural commodities with good market linkages can enhance ecologicalas well as socio-economic resilience of such communities forenhanced sustainable development. The paper recommends
appropriate supporting infrastructure, development of goodsocial capital and market linkages as good triggers for sustainable development.
Keywords; Sustainable livelihoods, Semi-arid Ghana, interventions,education, resilience
1.0 Introduction
The paper uses the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework as
an analytical tool to present interplay of context, a set ofinnovative community activities and institutional support
systems that can inform interventions to help sustainable
development of rural communities facing threats of climate
variability. Community Resource Mapping was done as wellas an inventory for community institutions contribution
to development. Interviews were carried out for 125 men,
women and youth using a three generational approach on theirlivelihood activities. Focus group sessions were also held tovalidate the findings from the interviews. The results show that
good road network, irrigation infrastructure with appropriate
water facility user education and market based productionof agricultural commodities with good market linkages werenecessary to enhance ecological and socio-economic resilienceof such communities for enhanced sustainable development.
According to Chambers and Conway (1992), “a livelihoodcomprises the capabilities, assets (including both material andsocial resources) and activities required for a means of living.
A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recoverfrom stresses and shocks; maintain or enhance its capabilities
and assets, while not undermining the natural resource base”
Chambers and Conway (1992).
In establishing the criteria for socio-economic and ecologicalresilience, such factors as resistance to the impacts of climate
variations as evidenced in high incidence and severe floodingof the Black Volta in the high tide season, high incidence of
extreme drought conditions in the farming season, annual
flooding due to torrential rains, recurrent bushfires, decreasing
soil quality, deteriorating vegetative quality, and attendant
low crop yields leading to perennial hunger, poverty, deprivation, and a perception of general hopelessness that triggers
rural-urban migration and a myriad of other challenges wereconsidered. Resilience therefore meant that a community was
still viable after the occurrence of these climate change related
disasters, and the reverse is true for Less Resilient/Vulnerable
communities. From this background, Baleufili was classified as
Resilient, meaning that the community had a set of innovative activities and institutional support systems that enabled
78

them remain resilient in the context of these impacts. This
paper investigated how these systems can inform sustainableinterventions to help development of rural communities facing
threats of climate variability.
2.0 Materials and Methods
2.1 Study Area
The Baleufili community is located in the Wa West District of
the Upper West Region of Ghana. The community is locatedwithin the Semi-arid zone of Ghana. This community is locatedalong the southern bank of the Black Volta River along withother communities as Chiatanga, Bankpama, and Zowayeli.
The CECAR Project selected four communities in the Wa West
district based on community socio-economic and ecologicalresilience criteria as Resilient or Less Resilient/Vulnerable. Twoof the selected communities namely Baleufili and Chiatanga
were classified as Resilient while the other two Bankpama andZowayeli were classified as Less Resilient/Vulnerable. Baleufili
is a mainly agrarian community, made up of Waala, Dagaaba,
and Birifo ethnic groups. The community faces challenges
arising from the impact of climatic variations. Such challenges
include delayed and reduced rainfall, perennial and prolonged
spells of drought, flooding along the river bank destroying
agricultural production, bushfires, depleting vegetation, severe
storms, and low soil fertility among others. The impacts ofthese challenges of climate changes have taken a heavy toll on
agricultural production which is the main source of livelihoodin the community. The community within the context of thesechallenges has adopted a set of innovative community activities
and institutional support systems that can inform sustainableinterventions to help development of rural communities facing
threats of climate variability.
2.2 Analytical Framework
The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) is used as ananalytical tool to present the interplay of context, a set ofinnovative community activities and institutional support
systems that can inform sustainable interventions to help
development of rural communities facing threats of climate
variability. The SLF depicts actors in a Context of Vulnerability, within which they have access to certain Assets. Thesegain their meaning and value through the prevailing social,
institutional and organizational environment (Transforming
Structures and Processes). This context decisively influences
the Livelihood Strategies that are open to actors in pursuit of
their self-defined beneficial Livelihood Outcomes. The framework provides a checklist of important issues and details how
these link to each other, while it draws special attention tocore influences and processes and their multiple interactions
in relation to livelihoods.
2.3 Methods
As part of methods, Community Resource Mapping was done
as well as an inventory for community institutions and theircontribution to development. Both primary and secondary data
were used in this research. Interviews were conducted for 125
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

men, women and youth using a three generational approachon their livelihood activities. Focus group sessions were also
held to validate the interviews results.
3.0 Results/Discussions
It was found that the community had a man-made dam witha functional but limited irrigation system that has helped
community members to engage in dry season farming to
supplement the unreliable and erratic rain fed agriculture.
The community has also demarcated the land around the dam
such that interested community members are entitled to aquarter of an acre of irrigated land for crop production. Some
community members who are beneficiaries of the farming landaround the dam have also fenced the land using mud brick walls,
gardens, and a specie of cactus flowers (milk flowers) to fend
off grazing livestock from their crops. Besides this, the dam has
also supplemented the water supply needs of the community
for domestic water uses and also livestock production. Furthermore, the area around the dam has green vegetation all year
round, so the community also grazes their livestock aroundthe dam area. The results indicated that seasonal hunger, lowcrop yields, poor storage systems, poor market access, poor
quality road networks, and weaker transport systems, weresome of the challenges to livelihood systems of the area. The
evidence show that good road network, irrigation infrastructurewith appropriate water facility user education and market based
production of agricultural commodities with good market linkages
can enhance ecological and socio-economic resilience of thecommunity for enhanced sustainable development.
4.0 Conclusion
The community is facing challenges as a result of climatic variations, and these have resulted in poor agricultural production
and resultant hunger, poverty, deprivation and a sense of hopelessness. That notwithstanding, the community has managed tostay viable and continue to maintain a livelihood in agricultural
production using these innovative community activities andinstitutional support systems. Taking from the evidence presented, the paper concluded that good road network; functional
irrigation infrastructure with appropriate water facility user
education and market based production of agricultural commodities with good market linkages can enhance community
socio-economic as well as agro-ecological resilience. Finally, thepaper advocated that appropriate supporting infrastructure,development of good social capital and market linkages weregood triggers for sustainable development.
5.0 References• CECAR Africa Project Theme III-Field Data (2013)• Chambers, R., and Conway, G. (1992). Sustainable Rural Livelihoods:
Practical Concepts for the 21st Century. UK: Institute of Development
Studies.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

B

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F6
Capacity assessment
framework, processes
and indicators: lessons
from a sustainable rural
livelihoods project innorthern Ghana
Yasuko Kusakari1, Hirotaka Matsuda1,
Kazuhiko Takeuchi2
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science - Global Leadership
Initiative (GPSS-GLI), Graduate School of Frontier Sciences,
The University of Tokyo2
GPSS-GLI, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The
University of Tokyo; and United Nations University
Email: yasuko.kusakari@gmail.com
1

Local capacity has been increasingly addressed in various development interventions as a critical driver in the last decades,
partially because local capacity is believed to contribute toenhancing people’s wellbeing in a longer term. However, many
projects tend to fail to identify specific areas of capacity which
need to be developed and/or how such core capacities can be
developed, resulting in minimal capacity outcomes. In orderto overcome such challenges and contribute to sustainableoutcomes in both capacity and wellbeing, UNDP and Africa
2000 Network-Ghana implemented the Sustainable Rural
Livelihoods Project (SRLP) in Northern Ghana from 2006 to
2011. This project facilitated a Capacity Assessment of key local
stakeholders and undertook strategic capacity development
activities, which resulted in enhanced capacity and sustainable development outcomes. The SRLP conducted a series of
local stakeholders’ dialogues which led to identification corecapacities for sustainable rural livelihoods in the context ofNorthern Ghana, i.e., 1) leadership, 2) engagement, 3) mutual
accountability, 4) asset management and entrepreneurship,
and 5) vulnerability management; and these can be further
analyzed and adopted in various capacity development interventions. Against this backdrop, this study examines thecapacity assessment framework and processes initiated by the
SRLP in order to provide constructive implications and feasible
measures, which could possibly be adopted by ongoing andfuture capacity development interventions. Data collection
methods employed for this study include interviews of key
project members, observations and review of project documents
and other relevant literatures. Specific objectives of this study
are: 1) to analyze the framework and processes of a capacity
79

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ABSTRACTS

Capacity Assessment and Resilience Enhancement

assessment initiative; 2) to examine core capacities and relevant
indicators identified and adopted by key stakeholders; and 3)
to explore feasible and sustainable approaches for capacity
development in the context of Northern Ghana and beyond.

and organizations in each district. An intervention model is proposed for adoption in support of programmes to build resiliencein local communities’ preparedness against extreme weather
events in similar contexts to inform policy recommendation.

Keywords: Capacity, Capacity Assessment, Livelihoods, Sustainability,
Northern Ghana

Keywords: climate change, organizations, knowledge, attitude andpractices

F7

F8

An assessment of theknowledge, attitudes
and practices amongorganizations on climatechange in Tolon and Wa
West districts, northern
Ghana

Agronomic and marketing
innovation enhances
vegetable farmers’
resilience

Victor Lolig**1, Godfred Seidu Jasaw*2,
Francis Obeng*1, Samuel Donkoh*1**1Corresponding Author- vlolig@uds.edu.gh*1
University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale- Ghana*2
United Nations University-Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

Abstract
This study explored the knowledge, attitudes and practices(KAP) of organizations operating within two Districts of Northern and Upper West Region of Ghana. It identified the gaps
within the KAP framework for capacity building. Climate change
places a huge demand on existing governance institutions tostrategize and work more effectively to enhance the resilienceof vulnerable societies. Due to their long-term socio-economic
implications and potential adverse effects on the everyday livesof people, adverse extreme weather events such as changes inaverage temperature, rainfall, increased frequency of extreme
events such as floods, droughts, and rainstorms have becomea major concern for most households in Tolon and Wa West
Districts of Northern Ghana. The role of organizations and institutions in informing and educating the public on climate change
related issues as a means to lessen vulnerability is therefore
paramount. However, existing organizations cannot effectively play such a role unless they are by themselves adequately
prepared in terms of knowledge, attitudes and practices of
responding to the adverse effects of climate change. Interviews
were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire with apurposively selected sample of staff of all relevant stakeholders
80

Eileen Bogweh Nchanji,
Imogen Bellwood-Howard
Göttiingen University
UrbanFoodPlus
Email: ibellwoodh@gmail.com

Abstract
Resilience is the ability to absorb shocks without an entire
system change. Farmers develop adaption mechanisms thatenhance their resilience to sudden changes that occur in theirdynamic environment.
We describe some examples of farmers’ practice that illustrate how they have developed resilience to climate variability.
We focus on vegetable farmers in Tamale, Northern Ghana.
We see ability to manipulate markets as part of the range ofstrategies they use to circumvent vulnerability to climaticfluctuations. We therefore describe the tactics they implement
not only in the agronomic but also the marketing spheres.
Water is limited in Northern Ghana. Farmers innovate to
reduce the risks associated with this. They grow crops in areas
where soil residual moisture is high. Ridging and mulching help
maintain soil water levels. Cultivation of hardy crops, such as
okra and ayoyo, into the dry season can also be invoked as arisk reduction strategy.
Mixed cropping allows farmers to manipulate what they
offer to market traders. This lets them respond to seasonal
fluctuations in price in order to optimise their income flows.
They also develop social networks to maximize their ability touse markets to their advantage. This is important in situations
where they have less ability to predict agroecological conditions.
They engage multiple marketers, whilst strengthening relationships with those who are particularly reliable. This helps themguarantee a buyer when demand is low, of especial importancewhen variable climatic conditions produce market gluts.
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

SESSION A

By enhancing both agronomic and social heterogeneity, these
innovations address the risks associated with climatic variation.
We conclude that such diversification is one very effective waythat farmers develop their resilience to such change.

F9
Determinants of climatechange adaptation
strategies by smallholder
farmers in east Mamprusi
district of northern region,
Ghana
Francis K. Obeng, Robert Awassena
University for Development Studies
Email: francisobeng@yahoo.com

Abstract
Climate variability and change have become a global phenomenon that continues to affect the very survival of man,especially those whose livelihoods depend so much on rain-fed
agriculture. Included in this category of vulnerable people
are smallholder farmers who rely mainly on crop production.
Coping strategies adopted by smallholder farmers in the past
are increasingly becoming unworkable as the impacts of climate change and variability intensify. In the face of increasing
vulnerability smallholder farmers have resorted to adaptation
strategies that are helping them to survive the impacts andfarmers in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Regionof Ghana are no exception. The study aims at determining thefactors that influence farmers’ choice of adaptation options.
The study was carried out in the East Mamprusi District of theNorthern Region of Ghana. 250 farmers (male and female) wereselected from 25 communities (10 farmers per community)in 5 Area Councils, namely Gambaga, Langbinsi, Nalerigu,
Gbintiri and Sakogu. Semi-structured questionnaire was used tocollect data. Data analysis is ongoing using means and standard
deviations, frequencies and percentages and multinomial logit
regression model.

B

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F10
Disability, climate change
and human security. Policy
implications for Ghana
Simon Kwabena Dankyi
PhD Candidate
Institute of Political Science, Department of Social Science
Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Email: sdankyi2001@yahoo.com

Abstract
The social effects of climate change have gained global prominence in recent times. The product of climate change is severe
drought, floods, storms, hurricanes etc which consistently andseriously pose as threats to livelihoods and general wellbeing indeveloping countries like Ghana. Climate change can have direct
and indirect effects especially on the poor, excluded and vulnerable including people with disability (PWD), women, children
and the aged, particularly for their health. In Ghana, PWD faceunequal access to education, healthcare, employment, assets andopportunities for social and community participation. However,the particular consequences of climate change for PWD and its
implications on policy have been widely neglected in researchso far. This PhD research is therefore an academic responseto the issue of disability, climate change and human security
in Ghana. It seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of theunderpinning issues within the Human Security frameworkusing the Talensi and Nabdam districts of the Upper East Region
as case study. The overarching goal of the study is to highlightchallenges and propose cogent policy alternatives into thedesign of sustainable solutions to improve the lives of people
with disabilities in Ghana. The study is designed to answer
the following key questions; How are PWD affected by climatechange? How do PWD adapt to climate change? How state andnon-state institutions assist and respond to PWD affected byclimate change? How relevant and applicable is the humansecurity framework to PWD? How can policy be influenced infavour of PWD affected by climate change in Ghana?
A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods will be adopted to operationlise the objectives of the study. Both Primaryand Secondary data sources will be relied.

Keywords: Climate Variability, Adaptation strategies, Smallholder farmers, perceptions, Multinomial logit model, East Mamprusi District.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

81

FABSTRACTS

Poster Presentation
P1 » 12

Urban and peri-urban agriculture and its implications on agroecosystem resilience, food andnutrition security
84
Local knowledge and the causes of climate change: local perspectives and the policy
implications for building community resilience in North-Western Ghana
84
Variability in rainfall characteristics in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana 85Comparative analysis on livelihood approaches, resilience and transformability in agroecosystems in West Africa
88
Communities vulnerability and resilience to climate shocks in the Niger basin of Benin 88
Residents’ perception and adaptation/coping strategies to climate-related disasters in
Bankpama, Wa West District, Ghana90Collective action and farmers’ private adaptation to climate change: evidence from the savanna
region in Togo
92
Evaluating the impact of cereal banking on food security and resilience building of rural
households in the Gambia
92
Soil properties of six communities in the northern region of Ghana as affected by crop species
and location
93
Application of DPSIR framework to extreme climatic effects in Northern Ghana

93

Estimation of USLE’s C-Factor using vegetation indices (VIs) for soil erosion modeling in Lake
Bosumtwi94
Assessment of spatio-temporal patterns of terrestrial ecosystem to climate variations using
satellite data in Ghana
94

ABSTRACTS

P1
Urban and peri-urban
agriculture and its
implications on
agroecosystem resilience,food and nutrition security

and are increasingly affected by chancing seasonal weather
fluctuations.
Keywords: Urban and periurban agriculture, food and nutrition
insecurity, agroecosystem resilience, crop biodiversity

P2
Local knowledge and thecauses of climate change:
local perspectives andthe policy implications
for building community
resilience in North-Western
Ghana

Takemore Chagomoka*1, Johannes Schlesinger1,
Axel Drescher1
Department for Environmental Social Sciences and Geography,
University of Freiburg, Werthmannstr. 4 D-79085 Freiburg,
Germany*Email: takemore.chagomoka@geographie.uni-frieburg.de
Tel: +4915171437653

1

Abstract
Global food and nutrition insecurity continues to be a serious problem, threatening the livelihoods of millions of poor
people, with sub-Saharan Africa worst affected. A total of 842
million people in 2011–13, were estimated to be suffering fromchronic hunger, regularly not getting enough food to conduct
an active life. Food and nutrition insecurity has traditionallybeen looked at as a problem of rural areas. Accordingly muchof the policy issues have been targeting rural populations.
However, increasingly research findings are showing that urban
populations can also be highly affected. Food and nutrition
insecurity accompanied by climate change and rapid urban
growth poses a serious challenge to many livelihoods. This
leads urban dwellers to engage in farming activities to help
satisfy their food needs. The percentage of urban residents in
sub-Sahara Africa is expected to rise from 30 to 47 percentof the total population until 2030, further increasing urban
food demand. Urban agriculture thereby has the potential
to address the scourge of food and nutrition insecurity inurban and periurban areas at the same time increasing crop
biodiversity and contributing to stable agroecosystems. We
hypothesise that urban development and the increase in urban agricultural production can positively contribute to crop
diversity, agroecosystem resilience and urban food security.
Preliminary results of an on-going study conducted in Tamale
on Food and Nutrition Insecurity Risk Mapping along theurban – rural continuum reveals that most households involvedin urban agriculture have a higher Women Dietary Diversity
Score, a proxy of better nutrition security and lower Household
Food Insecurity Access Scale, a proxy of better food security.
Year-round supply with urban waste water and organic manuremake urban farming particularly interesting in a region wherefarming activities are largely restricted during the dry season
84

Dramani File1, Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile2
Department of Planning and Management, Faculty ofPlanning and Land Management, University for Development
Studies, P.O.Box UPW 3, Wa, UWR, Ghana*Email: derbile_uds@hotmail.com; ekderbile@hotmail.com
Telephone: +233-244516896
1/2

Abstract
Drawing on the local knowledge systems of the Sissala peopleof north-western Ghana, this paper analyses local perspectivesof the causes of climate change and the policy implications
for building community resilience in the context of rain fed
agriculture.
The paper draws on a qualitative research design and methods of data collection. Qualitative methods of data collection,
specifically, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions
and change mapping and analysis were employed in datacollection and analysis for understanding local perspectivesof the causes of climate change.
From the perspectives of the local farmers, climate change iscaused by multiple factors, namely, an increasing trend in the
felling of trees, bush burning and over grazing, excessive useof agro-chemicals in agriculture, use of modern farm implements and equipment’s, such as tractors and bullock ploughs,
break down in traditional values and norms for bio-diversity
conservation and spirituality, particularly, irregular worships
and sacrifices of traditional gods – community, land, waterand rain gods.
Literature on how local people perceive and cope with adverse effects of climate change points to the fact that they draw
on their indigenous knowledge systems to observe, interpret
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

and respond to the consequences of climate variability andchange in diverse ways (Egeru, 2012; Green and Raygorodetsky,
2010; Salick and Byg, 2007). These knowledge systems andthe observations, interpretations, predictions and reactions
to climate change may vary and/or have similarities from andamong communities based on their economic and socio-cultural backgrounds (Roncoli et al, 2009). Nonetheless, such
understanding of local perspectives of the causes of climatechange is important for policy planning and the promotionof sustainable climate change adaptation interventions. The
paper underscores that local perspectives on the causes ofclimate change largely corroborates the anthropogenic causesof climate change and that the exception is the attribution toa breakdown in spirituality – this unique attribution arisingfrom the holistic Worldview and cosmovision of the people.
This corroborates other findings that aside the natural andanthropogenic causes of climate change, indigenous people
attribute its cause in part to spirituality and curses from thegods and their ancestors (Awen-Naam, 2011; Egeru, 2012;
Gyampoh and Asante, 2011; Salick and Byg, 2007).
To enhance sustainable community resilience, this paper
advocates a composite approach to Climate Change Adaptation
Planning (CCAP) that builds on the Worldview of the people
and emphasizes both mitigation and adaptation within thecontext of two policy frameworks – Decentralization and local
governance through District Development Planning (DDP) andthe National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework.
Keywords/descriptors: Local Knowledge, Climate Change causes of climatechange, resilience, Climate Change Adaptation Planning (CCAP).
References• Awen-Naam,Michael Ben (2011) Presentation at SATREPS Joint
Workshop on Improving Human Health Conditions and Resilienceto Climate Change in Ghana , Climate-Ecosystem Changes, Global
Health and Human Wellbeing in West Africa, Legon, Accra- Ghana• Egeru, Anthony (2012), Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate
Change Adaptation: A Case Study of Teso Sub-Region, Eastern
Uganda. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, Vol.11 (2), p.217-224• Green, G. and Raygorodetsky, G. (2010) Indigenous Knowledge of a
Changing Climate. Climate Change (2010)100: 239–242.
• Gyampoh, Benjamin A. and Asante, Winston A. (2011)Mapping andDocumenting Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation in
Ghana. Africa Adaptation Programme, United Nations Development
Programme.
• Salick, B. &Byg, A., eds. 2007.Indigenous peoples and climate change.
Oxford, UK, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
• Roncoli, Carla, Crane, Todd and Ben Orlove 2009.Fielding Climate
Change in Cultural Anthropology. In: Crate, S.A. and Nuttal, M. (Eds.)
Anthropology and Climate Change. From Encounters to Action.Left
Coast Press, Walnut Creek, pp. 87-115.

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

P3
Variability in rainfall
characteristics in the semideciduous forest zone of
Ghana
Mesele, S.A1,*, Quansah, C2.
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
2
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, KNUST, Ghana.
Email: ayodelemesele@hotmail.com
1

Introduction
Increases in rainfall variability resulting from climate change
can rapidly reduce land productivity, ecosystem resilience andheighten the risk of flood and soil erosion. Rainfall characteristics often represent the major driver of these processes (Morgan,2005). The magnitude of erosion or flood is dependent on rainfall
erosivity which may be related to the amount, intensity, kinetic
energy, frequency and their distributions. The knowledge of thevariability in the magnitude and distribution of these rainfall
characteristics would no doubt facilitate the design of conservation systems for soil protection at vulnerable times and during
critical periods. Such information is however very scarce in thetropics. Quansah et al. (1990) reported high annual total kinetic
energy loads ranging from 41000 to 43000 J/m2 with monthly
peaks of 79000 and 9000 J/m2 in August and September in theinterior savanna zone of Ghana. The degree to which this andother rainfall characteristics varied within the year and over along-term period were however not reported. The current climate
variability has therefore necessitated adequate knowledge ofthese for the effective design of conservation systems to enhance
ecosystem resilience as well as the development of adaptation
strategies. It was in this context that the study was conducted todetermine the variations, magnitude and distribution of rainfall
amount, kinetic energy and erosivity over a long-term period.
Materials and methods
A 17-year rainfall records (1997 – 2013) from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, KNUST site, within the semi-deciduous
forest zone of Ghana were collected and analyzed for rainfall
characteristics such as the amount, kinetic energy and erosivity
including their distribution. The Annual and seasonal kinetic
energies of the rains were calculated as KE (J/m2) =24.50P +27.6 (Lal, 1984). The erosivity was calculated using the modified
Fournier index (Arnoldus, 1980):

85

ABSTRACTS

Table 1: Long-term mean and CV of annual and seasonal amount, K.E and erosivity of rains
Cropping season

Rainfall amount(mm)

CV (%)

Kinetic energy(KJ/m2)CV (%)

Erosivity(MJ.mm/[ha.h.yr])

CV (%)

Annual

1376

17

34.11

18

554.24

44

Major

687

27

16.86

27

640.87

49.5

Minor

440

37

10.81

37

513.7682

Table 2: Percentage reduction in rainfall in 5 and 10-year intervals
5-year interval% Reduction

10-year interval% Reduction

1997-2001

15.5

1997-2006

22.5

2001-2005

12.6

2000-2009

2.9

2005-200939.5*

2004-2013

10.5

2009-2013

5.9

Mean

11.3

Mean

12.0

NB: * was an increase in rainfall amount

Where, R= erosivity; p = monthly rainfall amount (mm) P= annual rainfall amount (mm). The data were analyzed forvariability in the magnitude and distribution of the parameters.
Results and discussion
The long-term mean monthly rainfall distribution showed
rainfall amount to vary with the months with a peak in Juneand October in the major (March-July) and minor (September-November) wet seasons (Fig. 1) respectively. The results
showed the major and minor wet seasons to contribute 50 %and 32 % respectively of the 17-year mean annual rainfall. Soilloss, runoff and potential incidence of flood would therefore
be expected to be more in the former than the latter season.
The result showed that the coefficients of variability of rainfall
amount were 17 %, 27 % and 37 % in the annual, major andminor seasons (Table 1) respectively. Annual rainfall decreasedby 11.3 % and 12.0 % in 5 and 10-year intervals (Table 2).
This has potential negative impact on ecosystem resilience.
Besides rainfall amount, several researchers have indicatedthat the kinetic energy (K.E) of rainfall is more closely related
to its capacity to cause erosion. The kinetic energy ranged from25.42 – 49.01 KJ/m2, 8.86 – 22.69 KJ/m2 and 5.08 – 20.34
KJ/m2 for the annual, major and minor seasons respectively.
The contribution of the major and minor wet season kinetic
energy to mean annual kinetic energy was 50 % and 32 %respectively as recorded for rainfall amount. Higher rainfall
kinetic energy loads are partly responsible for the compaction ofbare soils with a consequent reduction in soil infiltrability andgeneration of large volumes of runoff and potential flood. The
onset of the rains and peak periods of rainfall kinetic energy
require optimization of vegetative cover to cushion the soil
against the erosive forces of rain drops and runoff. The annual
erosivity (R) ranged from 146.9 to 1269.3 MJ.mm/(ha.h.yr) in2006 and 2007 respectively with a mean of 554.24 MJ.mm/
86(ha.h.yr). The distribution of annual and seasonal K.E and R
followed the same pattern (Fig. 2&3). The long-term major
wet season erosivity varied between 100 and 1063 MJ.mm/(ha.h.yr) with a mean of 640.88 MJ.mm/(ha.h.yr). The CV ofannual, major and minor season’s erosivity were 44 %, 50 %and 82 % respectively. The high variability in these rainfall
characteristics has significant implications for the magnitude
of soil loss, runoff generation and potential flood incidence
which could pose serious threats to the sustainable use ofland resources.
Conclusion
Climate change is now evidenced in the high variability ofrainfall characteristics in the semi-deciduous forest zone of
Ghana as observed in this study. The high magnitude of theerosive forces (kinetic energy and erosivity) necessitate urgent and effective design and implementation of appropriate
conservation measures, particularly during the early stages ofcrop cover establishment and the peak periods of rainfall tolessen the risk of erosion and potential incidence of flood andfor proper soil protection.
References• Arnoldus, H.M.J. (1980). An Approximation to the Rainfall Factor in
the Universal Soil Loss Equation. In: De Boodt M, Gabriels M (Eds)
Assessment of Erosion, Wiley and sons, Chechester: UK, pp 127-132.
• Lal, R. (1984). Soil erosion from tropical arable lands and its control.
Advances in Soil Agronomy, 37: 183-248.
• Morgan, R.P.C (2005) Soil Erosion and Conservation. 3rd Edition.
National soil resource institute, Cranfield University. p 65-93.
• Quansah, C., Baffoe-Bonnie, E. and Agyei, F. (1990). Runoff and soil
loss under four legumes. In: Zobisch, M.A. (ed): Land use and theenvironment. Proceeding 11th Annual Meeting of the soil science soc.
of Ghana, pp 67-75.

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

200.0
150.0
100.0
50.0

ov
em
be
r
D
ec
em
be
r

ob
er

N

ct

O

m
be
r

Se

pt
e

ug
us
t
A

Ju
ly

Ju
ne

ay
M

pr
il
A

ch
ar
M

y
br
ua
r

Fe

nu
ar

y

0.0

Ja

Rainfall amount (mm)250.0

Figure 1. Distribution of mean monthly rainfall amount over a long-term

Figure 2. Distribution of Kinetic energy of rains

Figure 3. Distribution of annual and seasonal erosivity

Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

87

ABSTRACTS

P4

P5Comparative analysis on
livelihood approaches,
resilience andtransformability inagro-ecosystems in West
AfricaCommunities vulnerability
and resilience to climate
shocks in the Niger basinof Benin
Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon1,
Kimseyinga Savadogo2
Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion, Université
Cheikh Anta Diop/Senegal, West African Science Service Centeron Climate Change and Adapted Land Use.
2
Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences Economiqueset Gestion, Université de Ouagadougou II.
Email : odilonboris@gmail.com
1

Prince Amadichukwu
Our Soil Africa Foundation
13 Okija Street, mile one, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Nigeria
Telephone: +234-8037093790
Email: pamadichukwu@yahoo.com

Abstract
Seeking to explain resilience thinking theory into farming
systems design practice, this paper seek to examine essential
properties of complex systems dynamics and their relation
with the systems that direct resilience and transformability
in African smallholder agriculture. Agro-ecosystems dynamics
surfaces from the aggregation of diverse strategies in reaction
to changes in the agro-ecosystem context and are characterized
by non-linearity, irreversibility, convergence/divergence andhysteresis. Further, it shall examine agricultural practices inconnection to the diversity of rural livelihood approaches suchas diversity as option system regimes, diversity as the outcomeof transformability and diversity decided by changing agricultural contexts from existing literatures. The paper shall highlight a comparative analysis of West African agro-ecosystems
that points to knowledge base for the ecological intensificationof smallholder landscapes, policy and market developments.
The methodology of the paper which is a secondary approach
shall shed further notes that can be relevant to existing literatures that spans Agro-ecosystems in West Africa. In concluding
remark, it shall draw some general conclusion.
Keywords: Agro-ecosystems, livelihood, Resilience, Transformability,
Agriculture

Introduction
Agriculture in Benin is subjected to more risk and uncertainty
due to climate variability and change through its high dependence on weather conditions. It is important to understandhow climate change is affecting and will continue to affectthe population, what will be the effect of climatic shocks interms of vulnerability, and how to enhance the resilience ofthe population. Mastering these aspects will help to provide
relevant policies to decision-makers in order to improve thewell-being of these mostly poor populations. Thus, this researchseeks innovative tools to assess vulnerability and resilience ofcommunities to climate shocks.
Materials and methods
Area of the study and data
The study focuses on farmers of the Niger basin that covers
37.74% of Benin. The basin is located in the extreme north ofthe country and more specifically between latitudes 11° and
12°30’ N and longitudes 2° and 3°20’40 E and has an area of​​43,313 km2. It covers five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) (whollyand partially) out of the eight of Benin.
The 1998 small farmer survey data from the International
Food Policy Research Institute, the data from the survey which
was implemented within the Niger basin of Benin in the 20122013 agricultural year on 545 farm households, climate data,
and data from literature on the topic are used. Three-stage random sampling was used: first, municipalities within each AEZ,
second, villages within selected municipalities and last, farmhouseholds within selected villages. AEZ V was disregarded,
because only one of its municipalities is located within the basin.
Model
Vulnerability/resilience to climate shocks is assessed through an
integrated approach, using vulnerability/resilience indicators,

88

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

Table 1. Regression results of vulnerability/resilience
Dependent variable: vulnerability / resilience Variables

Coefficients

P>|z|Change in percentage in rainfall from long term mean

0.02

0.25

Square of change in percentage in rainfall from long term mean

-0.00**

0.03

Change in degree in temperature from long term mean

42.64***

0.00

Square of change in degree in temperature from long term mean

-65.24***0.00

0.75**

0.02

Proportion of households that belong to farmers’ organizations

2.24***

0.00

Number of primary schools per household

52.71

0.16

Percentage of households that have access to electricity

-0.34

0.55

Constant-2.50***

0.00

R-squared

Overall=0.66

Within=0.70
Between=0.63***, ** Significant at 1%, and 5% respectively.

Source: Author’s analysis with STATA 12

Proportion of households that belong to farmers’ labor sharing groups

which include a series of different socio-economic and bio-physical attributes corresponding to the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change (IPCC) definition of vulnerability, basedon the methodologies of Deressa et al. (2008), Alinovi et al.
(2009), and Damm (2010). Vulnerability and resilience areconsidered as opposite concepts, and vulnerability/resilience
index is calculated as the net effect of adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. Principal component analysis is used toassign weights to the indicators employed in the calculation ofvulnerability/resilience indices for each village. The sensitivity
and uncertainty test is carried out through the Monte Carlo(MC) analysis and changing the input data. As the multivariate
approach produces normalized indicators with mean zero and
it is difficult to compare the level of vulnerability/resilience
over time, econometric analysis (unbalanced panel analysis)
is carried out to allow forecasting of the indices. Variables
that are used for the analysis capture the three aspects of the
IPCC definition of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, andadaptive capacity).
Results and discussion
Strong winds were the major climate shock that farmers faced
over the last 20 years or so far. It is followed by erratic rainfall,heavy rainfall, heat waves, floods, and finally droughts. The
situation of the villages has been improved except for Kossou,
Kpbébéra, Gantiéco, Kota Monongou and Moupémou. On average, communities of AEZ II are the most resilient to climate
shocks, followed by AEZs I, III and IV in 2012. Sirikou is themost resilient community in 1998 and 2012, whereas the mostvulnerable is Kota Monongou. The random effects are foundmore appropriate than fixed effects based on the tests. The
results of the estimations are presented in Table 1. Many of theregressors have significant impacts on the resilience index. The
impact of the two climate variables is non-linear. A given change
in temperature from long term mean will strengthen resilience
to climate shocks up to 0.33 degree Celsius, and beyond thisthreshold the impact will be negative, ceteris paribus. This could
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

be explained by the fact that the crops will gain from carbon
fertilization under a change less than 0.33 degree Celsius,
ceteris paribus. The forecasts (up to 2100), done based on theeconometric model, depict that climate shocks will have adverse
impact on farm villages’ resilience levels.
Discussion in terms of food and nutrition security
The situation of the farmers in terms of food and nutrition
security will be affected if any action is taken. As climate shocks
are predicted to impact adversely farming, food availability
and access will be affected through a decrease of the part ofthe production devoted to self-consumption and cash incomethat should serve as means to get additional food. Moreover,farmers could not be able to meet dietary diversity. As thesecommunities draw mainly their livelihood from agriculture,
this could lead to vulnerability to food insecurity.
Conclusion
The analyses reveal that farmers are vulnerable to future climate
shocks. Public policies should encourage formal and informalsocial networks that enable group discussions and better information flows and improve adaptation to climate shocks. They
should strengthen the existing adaptation strategies practiced
by farmers. Moreover, results indicating significant differencesamong villages and AEZs suggest that adaptation technologies
should be targeted to the various villages and AEZs to enhancetheir specific adaptation potential.
References• Deressa TT, Hassan RM, Ringler C (2008): Measuring Ethiopian
Farmers’ Vulnerability to Climate Change Across Regional States.
IFPRI Discussion Paper 00806.
• Alinovi L, Mane E, Romano D (2009): Measuring household resilienceto food insecurity: Application to Palestinian households. FAO
Working Paper.
• Damm M (2010): Mapping Social-Ecological Vulnerability to Flooding:
A sub-national Approach for Germany. Graduate Research Series vol.
3, UNU-EHS, Bonn.

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ABSTRACTS

P6
Residents’ perception
and adaptation/coping
strategies to climate-related
disasters in Bankpama, Wa
West District, Ghana
Frederick Dayour1*, Godfred Seidu Jasaw2,
Yaw Agyeman Boafo2
University for Development Studies, Wa, Ghana
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United
Nations University, Tokyo, Japan
Email: fdayour@gmail.com

1
2

Introduction
Climate change has the propensity of bringing considerable
change in the hazard profile and its interaction with the dynamic vulnerability and risk profiles of countries (Prabhakar2009). The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology[MEST] (2010) of Ghana observed that climate change is athreat to Ghana’s development prospects, especially in deprived
communities. MEST (2010) also maintains that “the way inwhich people experience climate shocks varies across different
social groups, geographic locations and seasons of the year, withmen, women and children all experiencing different levels ofhardships and opportunity in the face of climate change”. Consequently, human perceptions have been identified as pivotal
elements of assessing intricate environments and systems aswell as relevant attitudes and behavior in diverse disciplines.
While vast empirical evidence exists to explain the concept of climate change and its effects globally, there is paucity
of knowledge on how residents of flood and drought prone(hotspots) communities in Ghana perceive and deal with climate associated stresses as drought, flood, storms and extreme
temperatures. Consequently, this study explores how residents
of a climate-induced disaster prone community (Bankpama)
perceive climate stresses. Further, the study examines their
lived experiences as well as coping strategies against disasters
in the community.
Principally, the motivations for the study are two folds:
first, it is expected that the study will contribute to the bodyof literature on climate-related disasters and coping/adaption
mechanisms, by providing a more in-depth understandingof the phenomenon from the perspective of respondents.
Current studies on the subject have dealt with these issues
quantitatively hence have not effectively articulated the lived
experiences of the affected persons. Second, it is anticipatedthat the study will provide some policy directions on how to
90

support such affected communities to sustainably adapt and/or cope with climate change impacts.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted in Bankpama in the Wa West District(WWD) of the Upper West Region, Ghana. Geographically, the
WWD is bordered to the north by the Nadowli District, east by
Wa Municipality, south by Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District and west
by Burkina Faso. Bankpama lies close to the banks of the Black
Volta River, which takes its source from Boulé, South Western
Burkina Faso (Wa West District Assembly [WWDA] 2007).
Bankpama was selected for this study because it happens to be
one of the communities, including Baleufili, Chietanga and Zowayeli that went through some comprehensive agro-ecological,
engineering, and socio-economic resilience/vulnerability under
the CECAR-Africa Project (2012) on “Enhancing Resilienceto Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa: An
Integrated Approach”. It is worth noting that studies have also
advanced evidence of climate instability and change occurringin the Northern Region of Ghana, and Bankpama is no exception. For instance, Yengo et al. (2010) hinted on the incidenceof climate-related disasters, such as floods, storms, bushfires
and rising temperatures in the north. A reconnaissance survey
on the study area also suggests that the study community
is not insulated from the aforementioned climatic stresses.
However, by emphasizing on Bankpama, this study hopes to
identify and bring out for discussion some salient area-specificissues in dealing with climate-related disasters.
The study (guided by the phenomenological approach toqualitative studies) purposively selected 10 community elders, 10 men (young men inclusive), and 10 women (young
ladies inclusive) from the community, and using Focus Group
Discussions, solicited people’s perceptions on climate-related
disasters, experiences and adaptation/coping strategies. The
data was transcribed and presented in a form of narratives,
based on lived experiences and observations.
Results and Discussion
Perceptions on climate-related disasters
The study established that flood was one of the climate-induced
disasters plaguing Bankpama. Interaction with the elders revealed that the frequency and severity of this disaster were rising. They agreed that it used to occur every three years startingfrom 1983, but now comes every year since 1990, whether or
not there are torrential rains. They lamented the destructionof their crops and property during such occurrences. As tothe cause of floods, the elders were generally uncertain. A 78
year old man had this to say: “as for me, I don’t know what thismystery is all about……. We need rains to water our crops so that
we can get food to eat, but we don’t, yet a lot of water comes all ofa sudden and wash away our food crops and destroy our properties,
why? Only God can help us……” The women and young women in
the community also conceded that floods were occurring every
three (3) years in the past, but have now become an annual
phenomenon. They were, however, oblivious of the cause (s),except for a 23 year old girl who made an observation: “hmm,International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

I think that the world is simply coming to an end.... that is why allthese bizarre things are happening to us in our community……Godknows best” On the same subject, the men and young men held
the view that the occurrence of floods was escalating, leading todestruction of crops and buildings. It was, nonetheless, interesting to note that most men and young men had a clue about
the cause of the phenomenon. A 43 year old man exclaimed: “asfor floods in this community, we all know the cause; it is basicallythe opening of the Bagri dam upstream each year that results inthe flooding of the Black Volta River, which destroys our property.”
From the foregoing, it is palpable that the occurrence of floods
was increasing, but the exact cause seems unknown to mostresidents, owing to the mixed responses adduced. While others
thought it was simply an act of God, some ascribed it to the
opening of the Bagri dam upstream.
When it came to drought, the majority of respondents notedthat the frequency and severity of drought were rising yearly,
destroying crops and increasing weather temperature. One ofthem made a claim that: “ the drought is indeed here, the weather
is so hot; we use to have early rains by March through to November
each year, but now, we experience early rains somewhere late Apriland continually have it erratically up to October. It is so severe thistime that our animals and crops are dying by the day.” [71 year oldelder]. A 58 year old woman similarly observed: “ hmm, were aresuffering from this curse a lot…… we can’t even get enough food andshea fruits to pick for a living because we don’t have enough rains.”
The residents of the community largely could not easily
comprehend why storms strike them yearly amid extended
drought periods. Elders, men and women alike were in theaffirmative that storms were becoming severe and lots ofproperties were being loss to them yearly. They speculated thephenomenon could be ascribed to loss of vegetation cover andfelling of trees which serve as windbreaks. To this, an 18 year
old young man lamented saying that: “our community is reallyfeeling the pinch of the strong winds lately. My dad has to repair
the roof of our house each year because of this…….our crops in thefarms are also destroyed at times.” Another respondent statedthat “I think the gods must be angry at us, that is why we keep on
getting this punishment. We are engaging in unacceptable acts,
such as having sexual intercourse in the bushes, which incur thewrath of the gods on us.” [A 66 year old woman]
Coping and adaptation mechanisms
Consequently, it was gathered from study that though residents
appear very vulnerable to the abovementioned disasters, they
have some strategies that help them to cope and/or adapt to thestresses. As regards floods, residents, especially farmers notedthat they adapt by farming on hilly or high lands to prevent
crop inundation. A 35 year old farmer said: “I know flood will
always occur each year, so I simply wouldn’t farm on low lands”.
Another avers saying: “…….if I farm on a hilly area, at least, I canstill harvest something small in the event of any flood…..this is the
only way out for me.” [38 year old women]
In relation to drought and high temperatures, it wasobserved that respondents could do very little about suchoccurrences in the community. However, an elder responded
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

by saying that “though it is not so effective a strategy, I adapt
by cultivating crops with shorter maturation period (2 months)
to hedge the drought” [70 year old elder]. A respondent alsomentioned that “my household simply copes by sleeping outsidewhen there is so much heat, especially in March, to prevent thedeadly Cerebral Spinal Meningitis disease which is occasioned byexcessive heat.” [21 year young girl]
As to storms, the study showed that almost all the respondents had the same strategies against storms which include
the planting of trees around houses to serve as windbreaks andplacing of heavy boulders and logs on roofs to prevent themfrom being ripped off. A fifty (50) year old man confirmed bysaying that: “the only way out is to place these very heavy stones
on my roof, which is very effective……. I also try to plant some trees
to serve as windbreaks, but they eventually die off because of thedrought and its attendant heat.”
Conclusions
The study concludes that residents of the community perceived
flood, drought/extreme temperatures and storms to be increasing in severity and frequency. It was also found that while someresidents ascribed the cause of disasters (such as floods, drought
and high temperatures) to spiritual punishments from God andgods, others were ambivalent. However, they recognized fellingof trees and burning of bushes as being causes of storms. From
the foregoing, it would be prudent for various agencies, such as
the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO),
NGOs and others concerned entities to enlighten the community on what the main causes of floods and droughts are. It isalso important for them to be empowered and educated on longterm remedial measures against these disasters.
It was interesting to note that residents had coping strategies against the aforementioned climate-related disasters,
however, some of these strategies may not work if disasters
continue to increase in frequency and severity. To this end,
the government and other quasi-governmental organizations
could assist in increasing residents’ access to grants and credit
which may lessen their susceptibility to natural disasters andeventually, help them to recuperate, adapt effectively to theimpacts of disasters. Second, effective measures could also betaken by the government to relocate the community to a safer
place since the occurrence and severity of natural disasters arehighly unpredictable.
References• Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology [MEST] (2010):
Ghana goes for green growth: discussion document – summary.
MEST, Accra, pp 8 – 15
• Prabhakar SVRK, Srinivasan A, Shaw R (2009): Climate change andlocal level disaster risk reduction planning: need, opportunities andchallenges. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
14:7-33• Wa West District Assembly [WWD] (2007): Wa west district mediumterm development plan 2006-2009. WWD, Wechiau• Yengoh GT, Armah FA, Onumah EE, Odoi JO (2010): Trends inagriculturally-relevant Rainfall characteristics for small-scale
agriculture in Northern Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Science 2:3-16

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ABSTRACTS

P7

P8Collective action andfarmers’ private adaptation
to climate change: evidence
from the savanna region in
Togo

Evaluating the impact of
cereal banking on foodsecurity and resiliencebuilding of rural
households in the Gambia

Mikemina Pilo1*, Tobias Wünscher2

Raymond Jatta

Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion, Université
Cheikh Anta Diop/Senegal, West African Science Service Centeron Climate Change and Adapted Land Use(pilomikemina15@gmail.com)
2
Center for development research (ZEF), University of Bonn,
Germany(tobias.wuenscher@uni-bonn.de)

University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
Email address- raymondjatta@yahoo.co.uk

1

Abstract
Climate change is a reality and farmers in developing countries
often face capital constraints in adapting to climate change.
Can collective action at household level be utilized to facilitate
the adaptation? This study uses principal component analysis
to recover the underlying latent variables of collective action
at household level, given the fact that collective action is notdirectly observed. Two factors, namely cooperative capacity andeffective cooperation, are hypothesized to capture collective
action and were further used in a two-step multivariate probit
to examine whether collective action is systematically linked toadaptation to climate change. The results suggest, in general,that collective action at the individual level in the form of cooperative capacity and effective cooperation does affect farmers’
most private adaptation to climate change. Consequently, an
important policy message from these results is that enhanced
farm households’ participation in collective action initiatives
can significantly increase the adoption of important adaptation
strategies, such as water and soil conservation and irrigation
practices by farm households. Another important result of thisstudy is that climate change could enhance collective action
initiatives. Given that farmer groups are not always successful,there is a need to better understand under what conditions
collective action is useful and viable. This should be the targetof future researches in collective action area.
Keywords: climate change, adaptation, collective action, agriculture,
the Savane region of Togo, two step multivariate probit.

92

Abstract
Using Propensity score matching built on a stratification andrandomisation, this paper attempts to evaluate the impactof cereal banking on Food and Nutrition Insecurity. Cereal
Banking is a community-based risk management strategy
which involves buying of food during harvest when prices are
low and storing for consumption during the lean period whenfood prices are high. The purpose is to smooth consumption inrural communities and households through the year.
The results of our matching indicate that communities
that are relative poorer, living further away from markets
and are vulnerable to high inter-seasonal food price changes
have a higher probability of adopting and sustaining cerealbanking schemes.
Our impact evaluation show that cereal banking has far
reaching positive impacts on food availability, accessibility
and nutrition at individual, households and community level.
In particular, the results show an average treatment effect of
25 – 30% reduction in both the food gap and inter-seasonal
food price variability in treated villages. Cereal banking
enhances food self-sufficiency by an average of 11.6%. The
Difference in mean between children from households intreated villages and control villages show significant differences of more than 16 percentage points between the average
rates of malnutrition of children in treated households andchildren from control villages. Like other studies, we observethat the literacy of household head significantly improves thenutritional status of children. Similarly, provision of farming
implements has a significant impact on food and nutrition
security of rural households.
However, the impact on wealth seems to indicate that for
cereal banking to enhance wealth and other livelihood outcomes, it must be consistently operated for a while.

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

P9

P10

Soil properties of six
communities in the northern
region of Ghana as affectedby crop species and location

Application of DPSIR
framework to extreme
climatic effects in Northern
Ghana

Vincent Kodjo Avornyo1,
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic1, Osamu Ito2

K. O. Asubonteng1, S.K. Loh2
United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources inAfricaEmail: kwabena.asubonteng@gmail.com
2
CECAR – AFRICA-Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)
1

University for Development Studies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Tamale- Ghana
2
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of
Sustainability,Tokyo – Japan
Email: vkavornyo@yahoo.com
1

Abstract
Random soil samples were collected from maize, rice, groundnut and yam fields in six drought prone communities{(Fihini(F), Dabogushei (D), Kpalgun (K), Zergua (Z), Yoggu (Y) andCheshagu (C)} of the Tolon district in northern Ghana withthe view of understanding the effects of crop species and field
location on some selected soil properties. The four target crops(maize, yam, groundnut and rice) were selected based on ahousehold survey which identified them as the major crops
grown by farmers in these communities. About 426 samples
taken from 426 farms, to a depth of 25 cm were air dried, thensieved, and analyzed. Chemical parameters measured were pH,
electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen and organic carbon(OC). Particle size distribution and texture were the only physicalparameters determined. Even though the soils of the Tolon
district are reported to have been formed from the same parent
material (Voltaian sandstone), statistically significant differenceswere observed among crop species and communities for allparameters. The pH was lowest in Y averaging 5.77 and highest
in F (6.22). The OC and total N were lowest in F, averaging only
0.59 and 0.83 respectively. The crop-wise analysis showed thatrice field was the highest in OC and clay content and the lowest
in pH. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out cropwise using data of four soil parameters (pH, EC, OC and silt
content). The proportion of variance to PC1 ranged from 0.29
to 0.40, which was not as high as expected. The Eigen value forPC1 ranged from 1.15 to 1.60. Among the four soil variables, pH
and OC showed constantly higher positive correlation to PC1 inmaize, yam and rice fields, but negative correlation in groundnut
field. The Six communities are rather separately plotted in the
PC1-PC2 correlation graph where the similar pattern was obtained for maize, yam and rice. It was shown that soil properties
measured are affected by crop species and field locations and thesoils have developed distinctive physico-chemical properties as
result of continuous cropping operations in the communities.
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

Abstract
Northern territories of Ghana are well noted for experiencing
extreme events such floods and droughts and other associated environmental challenges. The extreme events have been
attributed to the global climate change phenomenon which
manifests itself through changes in distribution, intensity
and temporal occurrence of precipitation. The changes have
had diverse implications for agriculture and other land based(processes) that are dependent on natural climate as a moisturesource for cultivation, food security and general livelihoods ofthe people which is mainly agrarian. The negative effects of such
events include loss human and properties worth a significant
proportion of regional GDP. Vulnerability to climate change
effects is often defined as a function of exposure, sensitivity
and adaptive capacity for which many assessment indicesemploy physical, natural, human, financial and social capitals
as indicators of estimation. However these factors to a large
extent fail to consider the complex cause – effect nexus between
human societies and the environment. The objective of thisstudy is to analyze anthropogenically triggered environmental
change and its contribution to human vulnerability extreme
events in the Wa-west district. The study will employ DPSIR
framework as tool to draw out the linkages.
Keywords: DPSIR framework, Flood, Droughts, Livelihoods, Food
security93

ABSTRACTS

P11

P12

Estimation of USLE’s
C-Factor using vegetation
indices (VIs) for soil
erosion modeling in Lake
Bosumtwi

Assessment of spatiotemporal patterns ofterrestrial ecosystem toclimate variations using
satellite data in Ghana

S.K. Loh1, K. O. Asubonteng2
CECAR – AFRICA-Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)
Email: loeyramkofi@gmail.com
2
United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources inAfricaRam Avtar1,2, Osamu Saito1, Hideki Kobayashi2,
Srikantha Herath1, Kazuhiko Takeuchi1,31Abstract
Water erosion is one of the worrying environmental challenges
in high altitude landscapes that can result from climate change.
Bosumtwi basin is exposed to erosion particularly due to thesloppy and rough nature of the terrain as well as the increasing
amount of human activities on the landscape. Universal Soil
Loss Equation (USLE) is a commonly used model in estimating
soil loss by water. The USLE’s cover and management factor(also known as C-factor) represents the combined effects ofplant, soil cover and management on erosion. Remote sensing
vegetation indices in the estimation of C-factor has proven to bereliable, and useful when considering inaccessible and large regions. C-factor is mostly generated from Normalized difference
vegetation index (NDVI) despite the availability of other indicesbelieved to overcome the inherent problems associated with
NDVI. This study compares NDVI with EVI, in their capability
to map land cover types, to be applied in C-factor estimation. A
plotted graph of two divergence statistics against class numbers
help determined the optimal number that the Hypertemporal
image can be classified into. The resulting thematic maps werereclassified based on their profile similarities and were comparedwith already classified and validated ASTER map. The overall
accuracies of the two VI maps were both high (80% for EVI
and 70% for NDVI) and the kappa statistics of 0.7 and 0.5
for NDVI and EVI respectively. A composited image of 2010
Hypertemporal MODIS EVI was applied in developing a C-factor
model by the Exponential Function (E. F) approach. The output
was validated by comparing the developed C-factor model toliterature C–factor values of the sub-region. The C-factor model
showed an overall accuracy of 76% and 0.6 kappa value.
Keywords: Cover and management (C) factor, Erosion, Modeling,
Vegetation Indices (VIs)94

United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies in
Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, Japan
2
Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for MarineEarth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan3
Department of Natural Environmental Studies, University ofTokyo, Tokyo, Japan
4
Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science,
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Email: avtar@unu.edu
1

1. Introduction
Agriculture in both industrialized and developing countries isa unique sector, characterized by complex issues and problems,
ranging from macro (economic) policy levels all the way to themicro (smallholder) farming household and field plot levels.
Agriculture, being predominantly a (small-scale) family and/or communal enterprise differs in fundamental ways from administrative services and industrial sectors in terms of relative
unpredictability, uncertainty and variability in bio-physical(soil and weather) conditions on which the primary production
processes rely. Also, there is a huge diversity in production
strategies and objectives among farming households as well ashousehold individuals. Agriculture in Africa is mainly seasonaland faces high levels of risks, which are in-turn compoundedby poor infrastructure and isolated rural communities (Stoop
and Hart 2005). Fluctuating market and trade conditions, aswell as political instability further add to farmer uncertainty.
Agriculture therefore, faces rather unique problems with respect
to research and development including the planning, implementation and evaluation processes that are involved as wellas the assessments of impacts at various levels (Eicher, 1999).
In African countries, sustainable agriculture is the key tothe food security. However, in the present scenario of climatechange that results in various climate related disasters, suchas flooding and drought, causes instability in the agriculture
production. Therefore, new agricultural techniques are to be
developed to supply a constant yield in the climate change
scenario. In this study the focus is on terrestrial ecosystem
and its multi-temporal changes to monitor its responses with
International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

POSTER PRESENTATION

Figure 1. Landsat based multi-temporal changes in the vegetation indices of Tolon district

Figure 2. Changes in the vegetation indices with respect to ground temperature in Tolon district

the climate variations. The terrestrial ecosystem that includes
forest and agriculture attracts various researchers to simulate
the responses of the vegetation in different scenario of climate
variable. Based on the results agriculture practices can be
modified to minimize climate change impacts on production.
2. Study area
The study was conducted on Ghana. Vegetation and its seasonal
responses were monitored in whole Ghana (further divided
Adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate and ecosystem changes on developing societies

into northern Ghana and Southern Ghana). The study mainly
focused on two sites: Tolon and Wa West districts. Tolon isconsidered as drought prone area, whereas Wa West is considered as flood prone area because of overflow from river Black
Volta. Rainfall and temperature patterns in the study area
are highly variable. Average annual rainfall ranges between
900 – 1000mm. The rainfall is normally irregular, intermittent
and torrential. The rainy season starts from April and reaches
maximum in August/September. This is the period of intense95

ABSTRACTS

farming activity. Temperature in the study area ranges between
averages of 25oC (minimum) to 36oC (maximum). The highest
temperatures are normally recorded in March and can rise as
high as 45oC. The lowest temperatures are recorded in January.
3. Methodology
3.1 Satellite data
In this study Landsat and SPOT vegetation data were used.
All clouds free Landsat data from 1984 - 2013 and SPOT
vegetation data from 1999 – 2012 were collected to monitor
seasonal changes in the vegetation. Various vegetation indices(NDVI, NDSI, NDWI, SAVI etc.) have been used to monitor
vegetation conditions and their phonological changes. Basedon this information, relationship of the vegetation indices withthe change in temperature and precipitation was investigated.
The most common and widely used vegetation index is the
NDVI developed by Rouse et al., 1974. Despite its intensive
use, the relationship between the NDVI and the vegetation is
known to be strongly affected by soil reflectance (Huang et al.,2013). Therefore, other vegetation index such as SAVI was also
used (Avtar et al., 2013).
3.2 Ground data
We have collected daily average rainfall and temperature dataof Ghana from Ghana Meteorological Agency. This data has
been used to monitor the changes in the vegetation indiceswith respect to the changes in climate variables.

Acknowledgement
This research was carried out as a part of the research project
CECAR-Africa of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), andpartly supported by the research program on Climate Change
Adaptation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology. Daily rainfall and temperature data is provided by
Ghana Meteorological Agency for this study.
6. References• Avtar R., et al., “Application of remote sensing techniques toward therole of traditional water bodies with respect to vegetation conditions”.
Environment, Development and Sustainability, DOI 10.1007/s10668-0139507-4, 2013.
• Eicher, C.K. “Institutions and the African farmer”.CIMMYT Economics
Program, Mexico, 1999.
• Huang, N., J.-S. He, et al. “Estimating the spatial pattern of soil
respiration in Tibetan alpine grasslands using Landsat TM images
and MODIS data”. Ecological Indicators, 26: 117-125, 2013.
• Rouse, J.W., et al., Monitoring the vernal advancements andretrogradation of natural vegetation. In: NASA/GSFC, Final Report,
Greenbelt, MD, USA, pp. 1–137, 1974.
• Stoop W. A., Hart T., “Research and Development Towards Sustainable
Agriculture by Resource-Poor Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some
Strategic and Organisational Considerations in Linking Farmer
Practical Needs with Policies and Scientific Theories”. International
Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 3, 3, pp. 206-216, 2005.

4. Results and discussion
Processing of satellite data has been done for the particularstudy area to monitor the multi-temporal changes in various
vegetation indices. Figure 1 shows the multi-temporal changes
in the Landsat based vegetation indices in Tolon district andthe dry and rainy season can be clearly distinguished based on
the spectral reflectance of the vegetation. Figure 2 shows thechanges in the vegetation indices with respect to the groundtemperature in Tolon district. It shows a significant relationshipbetween ground temperature and changes in the value of NDSI
and NDVI. The value of the NDSI increases with the increasein the temperature because of more exposed soil. However thevalue of NDVI decreases with the increase in the temperature
mainly because of decrease in the greenness of the vegetation.
Similarly we have done further analysis and trying to simulatethese results with climate change projection models.
5. Conclusion
The results show that the vegetation indices can be used as anindicator to monitor physiological changes in the terrestrial
ecosystem and they have significant relationship. Phonologicalstudy of terrestrial ecosystem is important to monitor the
impacts of climate change. If vegetation parameters withrespect to the climate change projections can be simulated
then a new agricultural technique can be developed to supply
a constant yield in the climate change scenario. Therefore, thestudy about impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystem
will be useful for the public and policy makers.
96

International Conference on Enhancing Resilience to Climate and Ecosystem Changes in Semi-Arid Africa

PHOTO: YAW AGYEMAN BOAFO