Identifying challenging barriers to farmers’ adaptation to climate change in Bo district, Sierra Leone: A review

Abstract

The global trend of climate change presents substantial obstacles to the agricultural sector in Africa, impacting farmers’ livelihoods and jeopardizing food security. Sierra Leone, similarly to numerous other African nations, confronts substantial obstacles in effectively responding to the consequences of climate change, with a special emphasis on the agricultural domain. The article examines the formidable obstacles farmers face in Sierra Leone as they strive to adjust to the impacts of climate change. A detailed literature review and empirical evidence identify four main barriers: economic, knowledge and information, institutional and policy, and social and cultural aspects. Farmers face economic problems investing in adaptable technologies and recovering from climate-related losses due to restricted financial resources, financial institution availability, and insurance coverage. Limited access to reliable climate data and scientific research hinders informed decision-making and adaptive strategy prioritization. Institutional and policy challenges, including limited institutional capacity for climate change adaptation planning and implementation and policy gaps and inconsistencies, hinder farmers’ climate adaptation efforts. Social and cultural variables, including traditional attitudes and traditions, also resist change and impede climate-resilient actions. Financial support, targeted extension services, farmer-to-farmer learning, enhanced institutions, policy integration into agricultural policies, and community engagement are suggested.