In the heart of northern Ghana, smallholder farmers are grappling with the dual challenges of climate change and land degradation, issues that resonate far beyond the agricultural sector and into the broader energy landscape. A recent study published in the journal *Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems* (which translates to *Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems* in English) sheds light on the innovative coping and social cohesion mechanisms these farmers employ, offering insights that could reshape how we approach sustainable land use and energy production.
Led by Harry Quaye Amankwah from the Department of Communication and Advisory Services in Rural Areas at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, the research highlights the critical role of social assets and indigenous knowledge in building resilience against climate change. The study, which used a mixed-method approach including household surveys and focus group discussions, revealed that membership in self-help groups was a lifeline for the most vulnerable households. These groups provided access to micro-loans and aid during extreme climate events, such as floods.
“Social assets such as membership of self-help groups were the most important source of coping, particularly for the most vulnerable households,” Amankwah noted. This finding underscores the power of collective action in mitigating the impacts of climate change, a concept that could be applied to other sectors, including energy, where community-based initiatives are gaining traction.
The study also uncovered the pivotal role of farmers’ tacit knowledge in enhancing soil fertility and adapting to climate change. Traditional practices such as weather forecasting, the creation of bio-pesticides, and sustainable land management (SLM) practices like ridge and bund creation and intercropping emerged as key strategies. These practices not only improve agricultural productivity but also contribute to sustainable land use, which is crucial for the energy sector’s reliance on bioenergy and other land-based resources.
Key coping practices reported by the study participants included reducing food consumption, taking up off-farm jobs, selling livestock, charcoal making, and relying on remittances. These strategies, while practical, also highlight the economic pressures faced by farmers and the need for more sustainable and equitable solutions.
The research further revealed that social cohesion mechanisms play a significant role in helping farmers cope with climate change while improving soil fertility. However, the study also noted that socio-cultural barriers to innovation adoption differ by gender, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that ensure equitable access to farmlands for all genders.
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the insights from this study offer a roadmap for building resilience in the agricultural sector and beyond. By integrating farmers into the innovation development process and strengthening land tenure security policies, we can foster more sustainable and equitable land use practices. These practices, in turn, can support the energy sector’s transition towards more sustainable and resilient energy production.
The study’s findings also highlight the importance of social cohesion and collective action in addressing climate change and land degradation. As the energy sector increasingly relies on community-based initiatives and sustainable land use practices, the lessons from northern Ghana offer valuable insights into building more resilient and equitable systems.
In conclusion, the research led by Amankwah not only sheds light on the innovative coping and social cohesion mechanisms employed by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana but also offers a blueprint for building resilience in the face of climate change. As we navigate the complex challenges of sustainable land use and energy production, the insights from this study will be invaluable in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.