Oxfam, a UK-funded non-governmental organization has introduced 3,000 rural household farmers in four districts to various climate change adaptation strategies to increase their income and diversify their livelihoods.
The three-year pilot project dubbed “Climate Adaptation Learning Project (ELCAP)” started in 2012 and seeks to enhance the capacity of rural communities to adapt to climate change.
It also seeks to improve their access to natural resources and increase food production, as well as the income of farmers.
Mr. Sebastian Tiah, Country Director of Oxfam Ghana, revealed this during a review and planning meeting with beneficiary communities and partners in Tamale last Thursday.
He said climate change effects have become prominent in the country and affected rainfall patterns, which he said created drought and desertification -- thus rendering agriculture les productive.
He noted that the best way to overcome the challenge is introducing farmers to various initiatives, including the ELCAP.
Mr. Tiah said Oxfam is implementing the project in 16 communities of the three northern regions at a cost of about 300,000 pounds Sterling.
He enumerated some achievements of the project, and said 225 female farmers and 20 male counterparts have been given goats for rearing, while 1,200 mango seedlings, and 4,141 acacia and teak tree seedlings have been planted in four communities.
He added that Oxfam has introduced a village savings and loans system, and that 421 women have been trained to manage their incomes through the scheme.
He indicated that the poor rainfall pattern experienced earlier this year could result in shortage of food in the country, particularly in the northern regions, and urged government to adopt realistic and practical measures by targetting people in need to mitigate their plight.
Mrs. Vivian Abendago, a farmer from Zambogu in the Upper West Region, expressed gratitude to Oxfam for supporting her, saying that she has increased her income through the project.
