Factors influencing climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers in the Talensi district of Ghana
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates factors influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of climate change actions in one of Ghana’s climate change hotspots – the Talensi district. A stepwise logistic regression model and thematic and narrative analyses were employed to examine the impacts of climate perception, livelihood capitals, and institutional intervention on smallholder farmers’ adoption of six common climate change actions. All smallholder farmers reported adopting one or more actions to reduce their vulnerability. Planting improved crop cultivars was most commonly adopted (89% of farmers), and raising more livestock was least common (19%), with complementarities observed among the climate change actions. The adoption of some climate change actions was influenced by a large number of complex interacting variables (e.g. planting improved crop cultivars), and others were less so (e.g. raising additional livestock). Given the unique contexts of farming communities, agricultural policymakers, development practitioners, and decision-makers at different institutional levels must intensify their efforts to promote context-specific and targeted climate change actions which consider the vital role of farmers’ perceptions, livelihoods, and institutional factors in their adaptation decisions. Consideration should also be given to complementarity among climate change actions and attributes of individual actions to develop appropriate packages of actions to minimize climate risks.
Institution: University of Technology Sydney
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Climate action, Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7154457612