RESUMEN
Climate adaptation, while urgent, is complicated by a slew of unknowns and uncertainties through insufficient scholarship. This study addresses these slews of unknowns surrounding local adaptation to climate change and associated determinants among rainfed smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. We utilized a mixed-method approach to collect primary data from 410 households, 15 key informants and 10 focus group participants coupled with meteorological data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Accra (GMet). Results from meteorological analysis from 1989 to 2020 and farmers' perceptions showed a consistent pattern exemplifying a temperature rise, and a decline in rainfall pattern in the study area over the period. Rainfed smallholder farmers employed multiple coping strategies including-cognitive restructuring, resource seeking, experiential avoidance, expressive coping, capital disinvestment and relying on social networks to deal with current and future climate shocks. Also, key adaptation interventions implemented by rainfed smallholder farmers based on lived experiences include farm and crop management, soil and water conservation, conservation agricultural practices, smart-farming practices and cropping decisions, livelihood diversification and indigenous knowledge application. Market access, access to climate information/services, access to extension services, use of indigenous knowledge and practice, risk perception, and government support, livestock ownership, asset ownership, credit access, and farm insurance significantly increase rainfed smallholder farmers' decision to cope/adapt to climate variability in rural Ghana. However, improved soil fertility and farm labour significantly influenced rainfed smallholder farmers' adaptation response but not coping. The findings have implications for developing effective adaptation interventions to build resilient agricultural systems and sustainable livelihood in rainfed farming areas.
RESUMEN
This study assessed the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to address the adverse effects of climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to (i) assess the perception of the smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability; (ii) determine the perceived effects of climate variability on cocoa production in the district; and; (iii) evaluate the adaptive capacity of the smallholder cocoa farmers to manage climate risks. The study used questionnaire surveys with 150 smallholder cocoa farmers, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in three selected communities (Afiaso, Tonkoase, and Amudurase). A variety of capital assets (social, financial, human, physical, and natural) were utilized to conceptualize smallholder cocoa farmers' adaptive capacity. Results showed that the smallholder cocoa farmers reported changes in the onset and duration of rains, rising temperatures, and increasing windstorms in the selected communities. The farmers perceived increased incidence of drought and cocoa failure, the prevalence of diseases and pest invasion, and decreased farmer income as the key adverse effects on their cocoa production. Further, findings also revealed that cumulatively, all the selected communities in Adansi South District had a moderate adaptive capacity (0.531). It is recommended that appropriate policies aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers must be formulated by policymakers to minimize their vulnerabilities to climate risks.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The use of mosquito coils has gained widespread patronage in malaria-endemic countries, even though it is not a recommended preventive measure for avoiding mosquitoes. Mosquito coils contain insecticides, which are expected to vaporize slowly once the coil is lit, to provide protection against the mosquito. The mosquito coil base material contains a variety of compounds capable of burning slowly to gradually release the insecticide. The mosquito coil smoke, however, is potentially a source of indoor air pollution with implications for acute respiratory infections (ARI) and other illnesses. The present study investigated the application of mosquito coils and associated self-reported health issues in Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in which questionnaires were randomly administered to 480 households across four districts in Ghana. Respondents who exclusively applied mosquito coils were grouped as test cohort, while those who did not apply any mosquito repellency method constituted a control cohort. RESULTS: The test group that applied mosquito coils reported malaria incidence rate of 86.3 %. The control group that did not apply any mosquito repellency method reported an incidence rate of malaria at 72.4 %. Chi square analysis suggested that the observed difference was statistically significant (x (2) = 4.25; p = 0.04). The number of respondents who reported symptoms of cough from mosquito coil application (52.6 % incidence rate) was marginally greater than their counterparts who did not apply coils (46.1 % incidence rate). It was also found that respondents with shortage of breath, which was used as a proxy for ARI, were more likely to have applied mosquito coil. CONCLUSIONS: The application of mosquito coils did not necessarily reduce the incidence of malaria in the study communities. It however presented a potential respiratory risk factor, which should be further investigated by critically examining exposure to particulate matter emissions from burning coils.
