Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The issue of climate change cannot be overemphasized, especially in the global south where many smallholder farmers are vulnerable due to their incapacity to withstand climate shocks and stressors. However, many smallholders are also actively developing strategies to cope with these challenges. In the cocoa sector of Ghana, they experience change of rainfall pattern resulting in longer dry seasons and rising temperatures that has affected the productivity of cocoa. This study aimed to assess farmer advisory services and the adoption of irrigation technology in enhancing cocoa productivity and climate adaptation in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, specifically within the Ahafo Ano Southwest District. This study provides a field-based analysis on how advisory is delivered, the challenges faced in delivery, and the potential for scaling irrigation for climate adaptation in cocoa farming. Interviews was conducted with sixteen farmer advisory service providers representing public, private, formal and informal advisory services, including five farmers. Participants stated key issues affecting the adoption of irrigation technologies, including water quality and inadequate infrastructure. Similarly, irrigating young cocoa plants was considered a desired adaptation strategy. Cocoa farmers see irrigation as helpful for better yields and coping with climate change, but few use it due to inadequate access to knowledge, polluted water, and high costs. Drip irrigation was preferred but hard to adopt without support and training. The study recommends improving interactions between farmers and extension officers, to provide affordable irrigation systems, organize training programs, and encourage partnerships between government, NGOs, and farmer groups. These efforts can improve cocoa farming, help farmers adapt to climate change, and support global goals like clean water (SDG 6), climate adaptation (SDG13) and land conservation (SDG15).