Abstract:
This study employs a Ricardian approach to measure the impact of climate change on
smallholder famers’ crop production-based revenue in Togo. A regression of farmer’s
revenue on climate, soil and other socioeconomic variables was conducted to capture farmer adapted responses to climate variations. The analysis was based on cross-section data of the
National Agricultural Census conducted during 2012-2013 agricultural season and average
long-term temperature and rainfall data from 1961 to 2013 pooled over the 35 districts of
Togo. Results indicate that climate has a nonlinear effect on net revenue from crop
production. In rainy season, the marginal impact of the temperature on farmers’ net revenue is
negative, while the one for the rainfall is positive. The scenarios of decrease of the rainfall
and/or increase of the temperature are very detrimental to Togolese agriculture, because of
the already harsh climatic conditions in the country. The analysis of farmers’ perception of
climate change reveals a high increase in temperature and a high variability in rainfall
pattern. Education attainment, farming experience, access to extension services and credit as
well as climate information are factors that enhance farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate
change and variability. Consequently, the government should design policies aimed at
improving the aforementioned factors.
Description:
A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
