The thesis topic will be: Pastoralist Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: A case of northern Ghana

Bachelor of Science Oliver Kofi Tulasi, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

In Ghana, pastoralists are among the most important suppliers of meat and milk. Meanwhile, pastoralists in Northern Ghana, who are the main producers of ruminant livestock in the country, are facing challenges related to climate change (CC). This study investigated: i) farmers' experience of CC impacts on pastoralism; ii) the CC adaptation strategies used by pastoralists to mitigate CC impacts; and iii) the factors influencing the adoption of CC adaptation practices, i.e. periodic sale of animals, construction of ponds and reservoirs, and provision of supplementary feeding by pastoralists in Northern Ghana. Primary data were collected from 218 pastoralists in northern Ghana using a multistage sampling technique that included purposive and convenience sampling. We analyzed our first and second objectives using descriptive statistics. Multivariate logit regression was used to examine the factors influencing farmers' adoption of periodic sale of animals, construction of ponds and reservoirs, and supplemental feeding. The results showed that pastoralists have experienced the selected CC impacts i.e., insufficient water supply, feed shortage or insufficient feed, increased livestock diseases, emergence of new livestock diseases, low milk production and low proliferation. In addition, age, financial constraints, and water availability had positive significant effects on farmers' choice of period for selling livestock and construction of ponds and reservoirs. On the contrary, level of education, rearing large ruminants (livestock species), access to weather information, , and access to credit reduce farmers' chances of adopting periodic livestock sale, construction of ponds and reservoirs, and supplemental feeding. Our results also show that rainwater harvesting reduces the likelihood of farmers selling animals regularly and practicing supplemental feeding. Participation in publicly funded water programs (e.g., One Village One Dam - 1V1D) reduces the likelihood that farmers build ponds and reservoirs, but has no effect on periodic animal sales and supplemental feeding. Finally, farmers who experienced feed shortages during the intensive drought period in northern Ghana (January to March) are less likely to build ponds, but more likely to regularly sell their animals for income and invest in supplemental feeding. Climate policies and programs by the government and other development agencies should aim to provide year-round water availability through the construction of more ponds and dams in northern Ghana. Livestock extension programs should focus on educating pastoralists in northern Ghana on fodder preparation and storage during the rainy season. This can reduce fodder and water scarcity and herd mobility in search of fodder and water during the intensive harmattan periods.

Keywords

climate change adaptation strategies, Northern Ghana., Climate change, pastoralists, livestock, multivariate logit regression

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 6. 6. 2024
• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslava Bavorová, Ph.D.
• Reader: Dietrich Darr, DrSc., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Tropical Farming Systems