DETERMINANTS OF RURAL FARMERS’ DECISION TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN GHANA

Increased variability in temperature and precipitation aggravate crop farmers' productivity especially rural farmers in developing countries where smallholder agriculture is a major source of livelihood. In an era of climate change, farm level adaptation strategy is crucial to combating food insecurity and lost farm income. To guide policy in this direction, it is important to understand the determinants of farmers' decision to adapt to climate change. Data was collected from 200 farmers randomly selected from six farming zones in the Shama district of Ghana. Binary logistic and semi-log regression models were used to estimate the socio-economic and institutional factors that determine farmers' decision to adapt to climate change, their access to credit and the size of agricultural land in production. The results revealed relevant social-economic and institutional factors that significantly determine farmers' decision to adapt to climate change, their access to agricultural loans as well as agricultural land in production. Policy decisions on farm level adaptation may focus on the relevant socio-economic and institutional factors to help farmers develop resilience to a changing climate.