However, sandy soils have poor water retention so many farmers plant at low density (Plate 1) to ensure adequate soil water availability. As a consequence, yields are often low (less than 1 Mt/ha), whereas with good rainfall, yields could double.
Over the years, the rainfall patterns at Akatsi have changed. Elderly persons in the town recall that since the major widespread drought of 1982/83, the frequency of low seasonal rainfall has increased. In particular, farmers could no longer correctly determine the onset of the season. Reliance on the old indigenous knowledge alone has become problematic in planning farming operations.
It is not only farmers that have recognized the changing weather patterns in Ghana over the last decades. A team of scientists at the Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, led by the author, has since the early 1990s been carrying out the analysis of long term climate data at several sites in Ghana to ascertain the extent to which rainfall patterns have shifted over the years. The team also investigated the extent to which rainfall variability in some farming zones in Ghana could be linked with global circulation phenomenon such as ENSO.
This team of scientists interacted with some groundnut farmers at Akatsi from 2002 and 2006 to discuss the possible impact of climate variability on groundnut production and also how the scientific knowledge could be put to the use of the farmers. In 2006, 26 farmers were involved in a study whereby the scientists provided forecast information on the season onset and rainfall. The forecast indicated that the onset was likely to be earlier than normal and seasonal rainfall would be good. Hence early planting and the use of long duration groundnut variety would lead to higher yields. Nine (34.6%) out of the twenty-six farmers agreed to heed the forecast climate advice, while the rest chose to follow their indigenous knowledge (Fig. 1). At the end of the season, farmers’ fields were visited to determine groundnut yields.
Further interviews revealed that not all the farmers adhered to the planting decisions they previously indicated (Fig. 2). Of the nine who agreed to plant early, only 4 (15%) actually did so with the rest planting normally or late (Fig 2). Some of those who indicated to plant normally also shifted to plant early (7%) or late (27%). Further interviews revealed that not all the farmers adhered to the planting decisions they previously indicated (Fig. 2). Of the nine who agreed to plant early, only 4 (15%) actually did so with the rest planting normally or late (Fig 2). Some of those who indicated to plant normally also shifted to plant early (7%) or late (27%).
Yield determinations show that those who finally decided to plant early did obtained significantly higher yields than normal or late planters (Fig. 3).
The question is whether climate forecast information is useful for planning farming operations and whether farmers are willing to rely on this technology? The findings of this study showed that while the forecast climate information is promising, previous experience with new technology adoption shows that uncertainty of the technology must be very low to attract farmer’s attention. Further, the forecast climate technology must be available in a timely fashion with sufficient lead time for planning. These are major challenges that the scientist team continues to address.
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A. Kurz
