Title: Smallholder farmers' vulnerability to floods in the Tolon District, Ghana

Authors: Alex Barimah Owusu; Jacqueline Tiaba Jakpa; Kwabena Gyekye Awere

Addresses: Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana ' Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana ' Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

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.

Keywords: floods; smallholder farmers; flood vulnerability; climate change; exposure; sensitivity; adaptive capacity; Ghana; flooding; food production; food processing; craftwork; financial assistance; technical assistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2016.080246

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2016 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.286 - 311

Received: 02 Aug 2016
Accepted: 30 Aug 2016

Published online: 08 Nov 2016 *

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