http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/951 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:07:37 GMT 2026-04-23T15:07:37Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/315 Combining Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge of Weather Forecasting as Possible Solution to Increase Rural Farmers Adaptive Capacity against Climate Change in Bambey, Senegal Haidara, Fatoumata This study investigates on the possible combining of indigenous and scientific knowledge of weather forecasting. Combining the two methods of weather forecasting would help to fill the current gap in the dissemination of weather forecast information among farmers in remote rural area. The study was based on a multi-stage sampling technique of six communities and after calculation process we have arrived at 335 households to be surveyed. Data were also collected through focus group discussions (12) and key informant interviews (12). Analysis of data from household survey was done using Microsoft Excel statistical packages. Qualitative data was analyzed using the thematic approach. The study reveals that (74%) of respondents have noticed changes in rainfall and temperature patterns during last 30 years. However, (33%) of respondents were not aware about causes of climate change and (15%) considered climate change to be God punishment to mankind. Farmers reported to use Plant, Animal behavior, Atmospheric and Astronomical indicators for weather forecasting. For 2017 rainy season (61%) of respondents have forecasted rains to be normal using indigenous. The Senegalese meteorological service also has forecasted normal/above normal rains for the 2017 rainy season. Both scientific and indigenous forecast were true. According to (72%) of respondents both two methods of forecast can be combining and they suggested to create platforms where scientist and indigenous people can exchange information‟s. Some respondents responded to employ strategies to face the change climate such as: reforestation, sowing native variety and short cycle millet and groundnut, use of compost and use of adapted cooking soft. The study suggest to build capacity of farmers‟ leader, women leader, chief, religious leaders and “djeliba” (Traditional speaker) of the villages on causes of climate change and how to adapt from it. Also, research team from elderly famers‟ should be putting in place in view to gather information‟s on the observations made for the upcoming season in view to organize seasonal outlook with scientific forecaster and decision makers. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the University of The Gambia, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Education Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/315 2018-07-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/233 Domestication of UNFCCC Commitments in Food Crop Sector: Case of Rice and Cassava in Cavally Region, Cote d’Ivoire Aka, Brou Suzanne Sandrine In recent decades, the question of climate variability and change has been gradually taken into account in public policy. Climate variability have been affected food crop production including rice and cassava in Cote d’Ivoire. As many nations, Cote d’Ivoire has convened at the highly publicized May 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference that led to the drafting of environmental policies known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since the decree No 94-616 of 14th November 1994 pursuing ratification of the UNFCCC, Cote d’Ivoire is committed to reduce its emission of greenhouse gases and protects its population against the impacts of climate variability and change. The study contributes to investigate the status of commitments of Cote d’Ivoire in food crop sector. The study, also tries to assess the policy integration of climate measures such as adaptation and mitigation. In addition, the paper analyzes the local awareness and determinants of farmers’ adoption of agro-environmental measures. Purposive sample was done to select the communities having benefited from projects and activities to assess the policies implementation. For this study, a random sampling was used to select a sample of 6 communities through 349 rice and cassava farmers. The study used the Content Analysis method to review national policies as well as the Obligation Integration Susceptibility Index (OISI) to evaluate the level of integration in relevant sectoral policies of rice and cassava crops. The study also used the Descriptive Statistics and the Binary Regression model to investigate awareness and adoption factors of sustainable practices. The study revealed a very weak level of climate integration of food crops policies at 35%. The findings showed that 66.8% of farmers were aware of lowland rice management, 59.3% to agroforestry practice, 40.45% to improved cassava varieties, and 34.4% to natural fertilizers use. In addition, the findings suggested that about 60% of farmers have adopted agro-environmental 4 measures. The resting 40% that are non-adopters explained that the lack of finance, the quality of improved seeds, the lack of farming land and the low revenue from food crops constituted overall the barriers for adopting of sustainable practices. Another major finding is that perceived impact, level of education, farm size and farming experience emerged as determinants factors influencing farmers’ adoption. The study therefore recommends that governments should promote climate education towards smallholders, experienced farmers, less educated that would mentor and stimulate other farmers to adopt friendly environment practices. Also, policy makers should promote the natural fertilizers based on local knowledge such as Eucalyptus leaves used as inputs. This would sustain the use of environmental practices and increase climate considerations in food sector. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the University of The Gambia, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Education Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/233 2018-03-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/232 Integration of Climate Change Education in the National Curriculum of The Gambia Owa, Olalekan Oluwatobi The study was conducted to integrate climate change education in the school curriculum of The Gambia. It included a curriculum audit of two subject areas, Social and Environmental Science (SES) and General Science, in the Upper Basic School. Research questions were developed and answered by the study. Quantitative research method was the approach employed for the study.. A 14-item structured questionnaire was developed and used for data collection. Weighted mean was used to answer the research questions while standard deviation was used to validate the mean. To answer the research questions, each item was assigned real limit number as follows; stronglyagree-4.50-5.00, agree-3.50-4.49, strongly disagree- 2.50-3.49, Disagree- 1.50-2.49, Don’t know- 1.00-1.49. Any item with a weighted grand mean (XG) of 3.50 and above was considered as “agree” while any item whose weighted grand mean is below 3.50 was considered as “disagree”. The standard deviation was used to determine the closeness of the respondents from the mean and to each other and otherwise. The findings revealed that there are gaps in the curriculum of the Upper Basic School respecting climate change education which should be filled based on the suggestions raised. It also revealed the necessary climate change themes for integration in the school curriculum of The Gambia. Of all the 14-items included in the questionnaire, 12-items were appropriate for teaching the theme, Meaning of climate change, 13-items for teaching Causes and Mitigation of climate change impacts, while all were appropriate for teaching climate change Impacts and Adaptation to climate change. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the mean responses of educators and teachers on the appropriate methods for teaching climate change topics. The study recommended that the suggestions raised in the curriculum audit and the climate change themes identified be incorporated into the school 8 curriculum. That all the items considered appropriate be used to teach climate change education after integration in the Social and Environmental Science and General Science of the Upper Basic School Curriculum, especially in The Gambia. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the University of The Gambia, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Education Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/232 2018-03-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/231 Rice Farmers’ Adaptation to Saline-Water Intrusion on Swamp Rice-Growing Fields in Lower River Region of The Gambia Bagbohouna, M'koumfida Saline-water intrusion, one of the risks emanating from worsening climatic variations and climate change induced-sea-level rise poses serious threats to vulnerable peoples and livelihoods. Little information is available on how this specific climate hazard impacts people’s livelihoods in lowlands located along River Gambia and how farmers adapt to it. This study aimed to investigate rice farmers’ adaptation to saline-water intrusion on swamp rice-growing fields in Lower River Region of The Gambia. The research analyzed climate data and rice production of the region by employing trend analysis and correlation methods using Mann Kendall statistical test. The analysis confirmed that climate variability likely threatens swamp rice production in the region. To examine knowledge and farmers’ adaptive strategies, 20 villages practicing swamp rice farming were randomly selected in the Region. Data were collected from 240 farmer household heads selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and 20 focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics in SPSS Software Version 23 were, therefore, used to analyse the data obtained from the selected households. The findings revealed that majority (96%) of the farmers were aware of saline-water intrusion and (>77.5%) perceived an increasing trend of salinity and its impacts on their yields over the last 5-year. A majority of 95.4% ascertained that saline-water intrusion reduced their rice yields and 85.8% affirmed its reduction impacts on their incomes. A majority of (76.70%) of respondents’ rice farmers declared have employed adaptive measures which included on-farm and off-farm measures. Identified factors influencing the choice of adaption using a binary logistic regression model with the aid of STATA Software Version 13, revealed that non-educated farmers and small household size farmers were more likely to adapt to saline-water. Access to extension services significantly promotes adaptation. The FGD technic helped to identify most affected villages in the study area among which Kundung Numu Kunda, ii Karantaba, Kanikunda, Tembeto, and Marikoto. Challenges farmers faced in adapting to saline-water included basically poor access to adaptation information, low extension services, limited access to improved crop varieties, and high cost of farm inputs. The study recommends training for extension agents and farmers on saline-water intrusion adaptation and dissemination of climate and saline-water intrusion information through farmer to farmer, radio and extension services. Also, stakeholders and Government have to provide saline tolerant, early maturing and high yielding rice cultivars to the farmers and enhance water and soil conservation structures in the area. In addition, livelihood diversification programmes should be directed to the most affected communities by saline-water intrusion. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the University of The Gambia, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Education Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/231 2018-03-01T00:00:00Z