Minor Crops for Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Ghana

Abstract Book of the 6th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming

Year: 2025

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Minor Crops for Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Ghana

Jeannette Aduhene-Chinbuah, Dr. Clement Oppong Peprah, Dr. Felix Frimpong, Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey, Dr. Kwesi Atta Senior Aidoo, Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah, Yaa Pokuaa, Dr. Patrick Opoku, Christian Opoku Kwarteng, Lisa Konadu Boateng 

ABSTRACT:

Climate change poses a significant threat to smallholder farmers in Ghana, where reliance on a few staple crops heightens vulnerability to climate change hazards (i.e., drought, heat stress, and erratic rainfall). The temperature has risen by 1°C, and rainfall has decreased by 20% over the last 45 years in Ghana. This has contributed to a reduction in food production, contributing to the decrease in the agriculture sector’s contribution to Ghana’s gross domestic product from 41.3% to 15.3% over the last three decades, which is further expected to decline. Effectively adapting and developing resilient strategies is the first line of defence to reducing the impact of climate change and global warming in farming communities. This study examined the role of minor crops in enhancing climate adaptation and resilience in Ghana. Data were collected from 750 farming households in 15 communities through structured surveys, focus group discussions, and field inventories of cultivated species. Over 40 minor crops were identified in these communities, many of which exhibit drought tolerance and provide essential nutrients during periods of staple crop failure. Households with greater crop diversity reported fewer hunger-gap months and higher dietary diversity scores. Minor crops contributed up to 30% of household income and were cited by farmers as reliable options during extreme weather events. Beyond household benefits, their cultivation helps conserve agro-biodiversity and reduce dependence on high-input systems, offering co-benefits for climate mitigation. The findings demonstrate that minor crops provide a practical, locally relevant pathway for strengthening smallholder resilience to climate change.

Keywords: Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Adaptation, Climate Resilience, Minor Crops