Methods of Adaptation of Irish Potato Farmers to the Effects of Climate Variability in Santa, Cameroon

Abstract

Climate change has greatly impacted global agriculture. This situation has aggravated the present burning issue of world food crisis. Santa Sub-Division epitomizes areas over the globe that are facing this problem. This study, therefore, stood out to research the specific adaptation strategies of Irish ptatao farmers.
The Methodology that has been adopted entailed Classical and Impirrical approaches. This required the collection of data from secondary sources through the consultation of books, reports, thesis and dissertations, Journals from libraries, and topographic maps of the area. The collection of data from primary sources stemmed from fieldwork, including the administration of questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data analyses were done with the assistance of SPSS Software and Microsoft EXCEL. The results were then presented in the form of figures, tables, graphs, and pictures.
Findings reveal that adaptation strategies that have been adopted by Irish potato farmers were viewed at different levels. They include farm-level, plant-level, and farmer-level adaptation strategies. Improving soil fertility (21%) and ameliorating irrigational methods (39.7%) are the main adapting strategies used at the farm level. Meanwhile, the use of resistant (CYPIRAL), less resistant (SPUNTA), and the use of short cycle species (MONDIAL) are technics observed at the plant level. At the farmer's level, the common practices include:
• Varying planting dates (50%),
• Varying and ameliorating planting and conservation technics (46%), and
• Associating different species (4%)
We ended up with some barriers to adaptation, of which we made some recommendations regarding the reinforcement of extension workers, improvement of small credit schemes, farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of Meteorological Centers, and the promotion of agro-forestry.