Empirical Evidence of Climate Change: Effects on Rice Production in the Northern Region of Ghana
Franklin Nantui Mabe *
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Tamale, Ghana
Daniel Bruce Sarpong
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness College of Agriculture and Consumer Science University of Ghana Legon, Ghana
Yaw Osei-Asare
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness College of Agriculture and Consumer Science University of Ghana Legon, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The evidence of climate change is very crucial in finding alternative solutions to dealing with its effects on agricultural productivity. This study analysed the empirical evidence of climate change and its effects on rice production in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study used paired t-test to establish that climate change is evident in the study area. The climatic conditions in the area have become warmer over the past 40years. Yield response regression model used to determine the effects of temperature and rainfall on rice yield indicated that if an average annual temperature increases by 1ºC, rice yield will decrease by 0.15mt/ha. The study recommends that NGOs and District Assemblies should introduce water conserving measures such as rain harvesting technology to farmers. Farmers should be encouraged to plant trees or integrate trees in their rice farms to serve as canopies to reduce the amount of temperature reaching rice plants.
Keywords: Climate change, Ghana, northern region, paired t-test, rice and rice yield response