Smallholder farmers' vulnerability to floods in the Tolon District, Ghana Online publication date: Tue, 08-Nov-2016
by Alex Barimah Owusu; Jacqueline Tiaba Jakpa; Kwabena Gyekye Awere
Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (IER), Vol. 17, No. 3/4, 2016
Abstract: Floods have become localised and unpredictable, hence the need for local level assessment to improve smallholder farmers' resilience and strengthen their capacity to adapt. This study investigated the degree of smallholder farmers' vulnerability to floods in Tolon District, Ghana. The study revealed that a farmer's location is the principal determinant of flood vulnerability. Floods in study communities are the result of continuous heavy rainfall over days, causing floods near river valleys and low-lying areas. Households in Communities of Tampia and Kpalisogu-Kura, which are closer to the White Volta River are highly vulnerable compared to Yoggu and Kpalgun, which are inland. Also planning towards reducing farmers' losses from floods in the study communities is negligible. This is attributed to limited knowledge, financial and material resources to adapt. Addressing flood vulnerability must consider improving adaptive capacities of smallholder farmers in food production, processing and craft work, and providing financial and technical assistance.
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