Ghana
Unreliable rainfall, attributed to climate change, threatens food security
As the ability to predict the timing and duration of rains diminishes, large segments of Ghana's population, who directly rely on agriculture, face risks posed by climate change.
Crop losses could occur when rains fail, while excessive rainfall can damage crops.
Michael Larbi Aburam operates a farm close to the small village Asikuma in the Eastern Region. He cultivates maize, okra, mango, and pineapples.
However, the evolving rainfall patterns present a daunting challenge to his agricultural endeavors.
Agriculture remains the largest sector of the Ghanaian economy, employing 45 percent of the country's workforce. Rural communities depend on agriculture for income, employment and food security, making it a crucial factor in poverty reduction. Maize cultivation, in particular, plays a vital role in ensuring food security for many impoverished households in Ghana. It also serves as a significant source of livestock feed and cash crop.
Climate change is already impacting these vulnerable communities and traditional agricultural practices, such as mixed cropping, due to changing rainfall patterns. Historically, smallholder farmers would sun-dry their crops during the dry season, which has become increasingly unpredictable in recent years. This unpredictability has led to crop losses and food insecurity. Furthermore, rising temperatures and extreme weather events are posing greater risks to crops and livestock.
According to data from the Climate Vulnerability Monitor 3, the direct impacts of climate change are projected to cause a decrease in corn yields under all examined scenarios. The high warming scenario for 2090 indicates a mean decline of 5 percent, with potential declines of up to 38 percent at the lower bounds. In a scenario with less than 2°C warming, the mean yield loss remains around 4 percent, with a projected worst-case loss of 17 percent by 2090.
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would help mitigate the risks of maize crop losses, significantly reducing the threat to food security and income loss.
Climate change impacts
in Ghana
Increased Temperatures and Heatwaves
Droughts
Erratic (and extreme) Rainfall
Flooding
Kamasa Dorothy Azimi, an agriculturist, has personally witnessed the consequences of unpredictable rainfall and the resulting flooding on crops such as maize and cabbage. In response to these challenges, she established the Centre for Women and Food Security.
The organization focuses on training rural women in effective farming practices and soil management techniques that enhance productivity and contribute to improved food security.
In addition to the instability of rainy seasons, the future holds a significant increase in the risk of droughts, particularly if countries are unable to limit the rise in global average temperature to 1.5°C.
The anticipated risks to maize yields pose a threat to food security as the likelihood of crop losses and damage intensifies.