Spatial Variation and Change in Precipitation and Temperature: Mediating Science and Smallholder Farm Household Perspectives in North Eastern Ghana

This study analysed perspectives of smallholder farm households in the Kasena Nankana area on climate variability and change in comparison with meteorological data collected over a period of three decades. The study relied on descriptive and qualitative data that were collected through the administration of a household questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews. The sample included 365 smallholder farmer household heads, 9 Key Informant Interviewees and 61 Focus Group Discussion Participants. The findings revealed that smallholder households viewed their climate to be one that has been very variable over the past three decades marked by a shift in the farming season in line with meteorological data analysed. It confirmed the view in previous studies that intense climate variability and change are causing major adverse impacts on smallholder farmers. Smallholder farm households concluded that variability of their climate is caused by cultural despondency by the youth who have been influenced by foreign cultures perceived as modern. The study recommends that policy formulators and development practitioners including Government and Non-Governmental Organisations need to seriously factor indigenous knowledge and culture into policy and interventions that seek to support smallholder farmers towards sustainable climate adaptation and resilience building.