Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Farmer strategies of managing
agrodiversity in a variable climate
in PLEC demonstration sites in
southern Ghana
Edward Ofori-Sarpong and Felix Asante
Introduction
In most regions of Africa, rainfall in the 1950s and 1960s was fairly plentiful and
regular, but variability doubled in the 1970s and 1980s in some regions. Climate
change results from interaction of a complex set of activities, including anthro-
pogenic ones. These activities, in turn, are influenced by climatic change. The
interrelationships are major subjects of research.
In Ghana as elsewhere, there is an increasing awareness and appreciation of
environmental problems. However, because the relationship between climate
change and its effects on agriculture is frequently non-linear, small changes in
climate can have large effects.
This chapter discusses farmers' strategies of managing agrodiversity in the
wake of climate change or variability with special reference to PLEC demonstra-
tion sites in southern Ghana (Map A).
Major characteristics of the ecological zone
There are three PLEC demonstration sites in southern Ghana, all of which are
situated in the Eastern region, and within the forest-savanna zone (Maps B, C, D,
E). Like the rest of Ghana, the Eastern region is situated on a dissected ancient
plateau of metamorphosed and sedimentary rocks. Gyamfiase-Adenya is located
in the Akuapem North district, Sekesua-Osonson in Upper Manya Krobo district,
25
