http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/210 2026-07-26T15:30:15Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/590 Enhancing Groundnut Production Under Climate Change in North Bank Region (The Gambia) TRAWALLY, JAINABA Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have had a significant impact on food production in Africa including The Gambia. To enhance groundnut production, this thesis aims to examine the impact of temperature and rainfall on groundnut productivity in the North Bank Region in The Gambia. Thus, the potential impacts of climate change on groundnut production were assessed by compar ing the baseline (1971-2000) with RCP 4.5 (2020-2039) in the near future and RCP 8.5 (2060 2079) mid-term future using the Cropwat model. The findings showed that the linear regression analysis between temperature and rainfall against groundnut yields for the period of 1990-2020 was positive and negative respectively, indicating that the decline in groundnut yield is not rainfall whilst temperature rise has a minimal influence on the yield. In addition, the simulated result for the baseline (1971-2000) in the Cropwat model showed that the Crop Water Requirement (CWR) of groundnut was met because the rain efficiency was 87.6%. While Irrigation Water Requirement (IWR) was minimal (19.1mm) which was only required at the end of the maturity period. Under RCP 4.5 (2020-2039) in the near future, CWR of groundnut will not be met due to a decrease in the rain efficiency to 66.0%, an additional irrigation supplement of 301.2mm will be required throughout the growth stages for optimal groundnut growth. Under RCP 8.5 (2060-2079) in the mid-term future, the CWR of the groundnut will not be met due to a reduction in rainfall, with irrigation necessary throughout the growing season. The rainfall efficiency will be 60.5% and an additional IWR of 405mm will be needed for optimal growth. Furthermore, a farmers' perception survey was conducted on the challenges facing groundnut production due to climatic and non climatic factors, which show that farmers are facing three major challenges namely storage prob lems, pest infestations, and soil fertility decline. Based on the survey, 80% of the respondents, reported that they have observed a decline in rainfall and an increase in temperature. Thus, to foster groundnut resilience to climate change some adaptation measures such as irrigation planning, stor age facilities establishment, pest control, and soil fertility are needed, which can be implemented by national stakeholders and policymakers in The Gambia 2024-03-22T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/580 Adoption of Climate-smart agriculture practices among farmers and its effect on crop revenue in Adea Berga District, Ethiopia. Samerawit Chaka, Gemeda Climate change presents a major challenge to the productivity of agriculture worldwide, necessitating the development of environmentally sustainable agricultural systems capable of withstanding its challenges. This study investigates the determinants influencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder farmers, aiming to understand the factors guiding adoption decisions and evaluate the impact of CSA on smallholder farmer income. Data was collected through structured household surveys from 230 households by using a mixed method of purposive and simple three-stage stratified random sampling. Meteorological data spanning 30 years (1994 to 2023) were obtained from the Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency (ENMA). The Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope tests, revealed no significant trend in total maximum annual rainfall but indicated a significant upward trend in total annual maximum temperature. The descriptive analysis showed that the sampled households had a mean livestock holding of 30.58 TLU, and an average annual farm income of 61,117.39 ETB. Approximately 50.87% of respondents received climate information, while 20.43% had access to credit services. Transitioning from non-adoption to adoption increased farm income from 52,584.07 to 69,358.97 ETB, accompanied by an increase in total land owned from 2.35 to 3.45 hectares. The multinomial logit model (MNL) demonstrated that education level, household size, land ownership, off-farm income, climate information, and contact with extension agents positively influenced adoption decisions, with erosion showing a negative influence across all practices. Additionally, education level significantly influenced the adoption of soil and water conservation practices and the joint adoption of CSA practices. Household size positively influenced the adoption of crop rotation, while off-farm income significantly affected the adoption of joint climate-smart practices. Livestock ownership negatively affected the adoption of soil and water conservation practices but positively influenced crop rotation adoption. Contact with extension agents was significant across all adoption types. The multinomial endogenous switching regression model (MESR) revealed that joint adoption of crop rotation and soil and water conservation practices significantly increased farm income by 1,107,245 ETB. Overall, these findings contribute valuable insights toward achieving sustainable economic growth, combating climate change, and enhancing resilience in agricultural systems 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/550 THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: A STUDY OF CHONGWE DISTRICT, ZAMBIA NAKAMBA, MAVIS SIAME Climate change is a complex challenge affecting the entire globe, in developing nations, Small scale farmers and rural communities in developing countries, particularly Zambia, are increasingly experiencing challenges to their livelihood due to climate change, which is a complicated issue that affects the entire world. These threats include unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and shifting climatic patterns. Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) offer a multitude of tried-and true, community-driven approaches to climate adaptation, whereas contemporary adaptation programs have frequently placed an emphasis on technology solutions. In Chongwe District, Zambia, this study examines the importance of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation by evaluating how local populations see climate variability and how they employ customs to cope with its effects. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather and collate data from 321 respondents using focus groups, surveys, and semi-structured interviews. The findings demonstrate the profound ecological knowledge of indigenous communities, which forecast weather changes by utilizing natural indications including animal behavior, lunar characteristics, and seasonal wind variations. Rainwater gathering techniques, polyculture farming, and soil conservation are examples of indigenous adaptation mechanisms that have supported communities for many centuries. Indigenous methods are effective in lowering food hunger, protecting biodiversity, and lessening climate shock susceptibility. However, indigenous knowledge systems continue to be largely disregarded in official climate policies, despite their significant influence. The viability and applicability of IKS are impacted by institutional issues such the dominance of Western agricultural methods, a lack of government assistance, and poor policy recognition. In addition to enhancing resilience in rural communities, strengthening indigenous knowledge systems through policy support, the reinforcement of time-tested indigenous practices, and the encouragement of collaboration between IKS and scientific knowledge will also help to preserve biodiversity and cultural heritage for future generations. 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.pauwes-cop.net/handle/1/549 Adoption of Climate-Smart Improved Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Varieties and Its Impact on Smallholder Farmers’ Income in Karat Zuria District of Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia Sagara, Kebede Kassu Ethiopia is among the most vulnerable countries in East Africa to the variability of climate change due to its inhabitants’ reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Sorghum is among the popular cereal crops of major economic importance in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government is attempting to increase household income by promoting the adoption of climate-smart improved sorghum varieties. In the Karat Zuria district, however, there is no solid evidence for the adoption and impact of climate-smart improved sorghum varieties on the total annual income of smallholder farmers. As a result, the research was carried out to determine the factors that influence smallholder farmers' adoption of improved sorghum varieties and to assess their impact on smallholder farmers' income in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 384 representative sample households (184 adopters and 200 non-adopters) for this study. A semi-structured interview schedule, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used to gather primary data. The secondary data were gathered via reviewing a variety of documents. A probit model was used to analyze the data and determine the factors that influence the adoption of improved sorghum varieties. Age, sex, education level, family size, farm land size, access to non/off-farm activities, membership of farmers cooperatives, distance to the nearest market, access to credit, access to varieties information from research center and irrigation access were among the 14 independent variables that influence the adoption of improved sorghum varieties. To estimate the average treatment effect on the treated in this study, an endogenous switching regression model was used. According to the findings, the adoption of improved sorghum varieties had a substantial favorable average effect on total annual income of 0.7681, of treatment over control with positive transitional heterogeneity of 0.1257. These results imply that adopting climate-smart improved sorghum varieties increases the average annual household income of adopters by 12.57%. Contents identified major challenges and opportunities of climate smart improved sorghum varieties. It revealed that, adoption of climate smart improved sorghum varieties is crucial in improving farmers’ income. As a result, the study recommends that the local government and other key stakeholders should promote climate smart improved sorghum varieties to help non-adopting smallholder farmers in the study area. 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z