Abstract
Rice serves as a cash crop and aids food security for Ghanaians. Unfortunately, climate variabilities, especially rainfall levels, affect the ability for Ghanian farmers to maintain and sustain their rice fields. Additionally, according to the Global Food Security Response (2009) Ghana imports 58% of their rice. The Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD) launched an initiative called the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) that aims to double rice production in Sub-Saharan Africa. The participation of farmers in agricultural policy is vital to creating sustainable rice development strategies. In my research, I explore how important the threat of climate change is perceived to farmers versus development partners of CARD. I conduct multi-site ethnographic research for rice farmers in Ghana. The threat of climate change has and continues to have effects on farmers ability to produce rice so, in what ways are farmers or the CARD initiative preparing for these climate variabilities? How can the CARD initiative establish cooperation on a local, national, and international level to make sure that Sub-Saharan African countries are less dependent on rice imports? This anthropological study allows me to explore the gap between the aim of the CARD initiative versus the practices that have a direct impact on Ghanaian farmers and local communities. Countries and development agencies that plan agricultural initiatives have their own motives for supplying aid, however it is critical that we analyze the sustainability of projects such as CARD and measure its impact in Ghana.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Ghana, Rice, Coalition for African Rice Development, JICA, MoFA
