Social networks can mitigate climate change-related food insecurity risks in dryland farming systems in Ghana

Abstract

The earth’s climate system is changing rapidly and as it does, achieving food security is more challenging than ever in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There is substantial evidence in the literature of a number of approaches to addressing climate change related food insecurity in SSA, yet there is the lack of clarity on how social networks can help households to address food insecurity risks in resource constrained dryland areas. The study draws insights from northern Ghana using a mixed-method approach to frame understanding of how social networks can play an important role in promoting food security. Farmers' perception of impacts of climate change on food security includes low crop productivity, disruption of distribution of crops, reductions in income and purchasing power, limited food supplies, and emerging food quality and safety challenges. Age, gender, education, household size and wealth status all associate to farmers’ perceptions of the climatic impacts. In response to those impacts, farming households are utilising social networks to access financial support, technical training, farm inputs, inter-farming support, food sharing and cultural support to enhance food security. Those households with strong social networks are much less likely to experience high levels of food insecurity risks. Rural farming households and communities would become more resilient and food secure if their social relationships are developed and maintained to ensure effective adaptation to climate change risks.