Farmer adoption of planned climate adaptation: Institutional constraints and opportunities in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Climate variability and extremes are already impacting negatively on farm outputs in most developing countries. This has culminated in the introduction of numerous planned adaptation initiatives. Despite the existence of these efforts, the authors identify that adaptation deficit is still high in these countries. Although there is literature on factors that influence adoption of adaptation initiatives, not much coverage has been given to how institutions enable or constrain adoption. This study sort to explore the institutional constraints to and opportunities for farmers’ adoption of planned adaptation interventions under the Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhanced (CHANGE) and the Adaptation Learning Programme (ALP) projects. Using a mix of methods, the study elicited data from 184 crop farmers under these two initiatives in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study found that the institutional opportunities for farmer adoption of planned interventions were adequate and proactive extension services; frequent farmer training and development programmes; ease of access to and timeliness of credit; input subsidies; and timely weather information. The constraints to farmer adoption were land tenure insecurity; inadequate involvement in the planning of interventions; limited coverage of interventions due to cost; poor extension services; and inaccurate or non-existent weather information. On the basis of these farmer perspectives, the research recommends urgent need to enhance institutional capacities and improved farmer access to institutional support.