Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze how fanners are reducing vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the Atankwidi basin, north-eastern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach - This paper draws on combined qualitative and quantitative research methods and data. First, the paper draws on qualitative data generated from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from purposively sampled farmers in the Atankwidi basin. It also draws on a survey conducted on 131 systematically and randomly sampled households in three communities of the basin, namely Yua, Pungu and Mirigu. Findings - The results show that farmers are planting multiple indigenous drought resilient crop varieties and employing different rounds of seeding and or staggering planting between multiple farms. They are also applying indigenous forms of organic manure, checking soil erosion through grass strips and stone terracing and adopting paddy farming for improving soil and water conservation towards enhancing plant adaptation to drought. The paper therefore, asserts that through conscientious effort, farmers are reducing vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems of drought risk management. Practical implications - The paper recommends that capacity for managing vulnerability to drought at the local level, including the Atankwidi basin, can be enhanced by incorporating as into District Development Planning (DDP) and giving priority to the strategic role of IKS in climate change adaptation planning. Originality/value - This paper fulfills a need for researching the relevance of IKS for reducing vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to drought in particular, and enhancing adaptation to climate. change in general in the quest for promoting Endogenous Development (ED) in Africa.
Derbile, EK
Reducing vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to drought through indigenous knowledge systems in north-eastern Ghana
International Journal Of Climate Change Strategies And Management