Climate-induced effects and adaptation challenges among older crop farmers in Akuapem North Municipality

Climate change has been a major challenge for farmers in Ghana, particularly those cultivating crops. However, the available literature on climate adaptation has mostly focused on general farming populations, leaving the unique vulnerabilities and coping strategies of older farmers underexplored. This study examines how older crop farmers in the Akuapem North Municipality manage their situation, with particular attention to the challenges of climate change adaptation. Utilizing a phenomenological research design to provide insights into the lived experiences, key informant and focus group interviewing techniques were used to engage a purposively selected sample of forty-six older crop farmers across three farming communities in the municipality. The results indicate that older farmers in the municipality are at a high risk of stressors associated with climate change, including loss of soil moisture, low crop yields, and interference with traditional farming practices. They have therefore developed various coping mechanisms, including crop diversification, modifying the planting schedule, and improving crop varieties in an attempt to minimise the effects. However, their adaptability is hindered by limited access to credit and technical support, as well as a lack of knowledge about the practices of agricultural systems that are resilient to climate change. The paper proposes the use of targeted interventions to provide financial, technical, and training support to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of older farmers.