Impact of climate variability on smallholder households and indigenous coping strategies in bongo district

Agriculture is one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate variability impact. The impact is very severe in Africa, where agriculture is predominantly for the daily subsistence, and where adaptive capacity is low. This study considers the Upper East Region of Ghana-Bongo district, as a case study and examines the climatic impacts on the livelihood of small holder households in the region. The study also looked at the local/indigenous coping mechanisms that small holder households have been adapting to reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The study uses semi-structured interview to gather primary data from local communities, government officials and experts. Secondary data were gathered from published and unpublished sources. The result indicates that droughts, delays in rainfall, erratic precipitation, and heavy and unseasonal rain are challenges to the livelihood of the whole region. To cope with the impacts, smallholder households use stone/grass/mud bonding, organic manure application as strategies. Even though all households in the region are vulnerable to climatic change, the problem is more acute for the poor, landless, women, large sized families, unaffordability of agricultural inputs, and water shortage. The study suggests further studies should be conducted to identify, scientifically proof and document the available coping mechanisms, indigenous knowledge/ and innovation.