Mitigating the risks of climate variability and change on mango seedlings in Ghana: Evidence from mango seedlings producers in the Yilo Krobo Municipality

Abstract

While adaptation interventions offer a window of opportunity to mitigate the susceptibility of mango seedlings to adverse impact of climate variability and change, there is a scarcity of information on how mango seedlings producers respond to climate variability and change in Ghana. Using a qualitative case study with 20 mango seedlings producers selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques, this study investigates participants’ knowledge and experience of climate variability and change, the effects of the observed changes on mango seedlings and the adaptation strategies employed to counter the risks associated with climate variability and change in a mango production zone of Ghana. Results indicate that floods, droughts, rising temperature, erratic rainfall and windstorm have been observed among the participants, which negatively affect the survival, growth, establishment and quality of mango seedlings. Adaptation strategies, such as creating gutters, applying agrochemicals, grafting and improved seed varieties, planting of trees as shades, irrigation and soil improvement techniques including mulching, have been implemented by the participants to mitigate climate variability and change effects. The practical and policy implications of the results are discussed and recommendations provided.

Keywords

• Climate extremes
• Adaptation
• Mango seedlings
• Smallholder agriculture
• Ghana