article · Sustainability
Agriculture serves as a vital livelihood in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the specific ways men and women adapt their farming practices to climate change require stronger evidence. Focusing on the Santchou Landscape of Cameroon, this investigation evaluated how shifting environmental conditions affect agriculture and documented differences in adaptation approaches across genders. Drawing on a survey of 159 households and interviews with five key informants, the results show that climate change causes disruptions in farming calendars and season fluctuations. In response, men and women implement distinct strategies, including adopting drought-resistant crops, practising intercropping, and applying agroforestry methods. However, systemic barriers limit adaptation planning. In particular, women face disproportionate hurdles in securing access to land, obtaining essential farming inputs, and receiving agricultural training and technology.
Climate shifts directly threaten agricultural livelihoods across Africa. Understanding that men and women face different obstacles, especially disparities in land tenure and resource access, helps planners and development organisations design targeted support programmes. Providing equal access to agricultural technologies, training, and resilient crop varieties is vital for securing rural food systems and improving overall climate resilience.
The research points to practical needs for tailored agricultural inputs, such as drought-resistant crops, alongside gender-inclusive training services and technologies. Potential users include agricultural extension services, input suppliers, and rural development organisations. Because the abstract details descriptive survey findings rather than a validated technology or intervention, the research represents early-stage evidence that could inform future programmes or services rather than a near-market commercial product.
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Agriculture remains the backbone and major source of livelihood for men and women in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the gender-differentiated roles in agricultural transformation as a coping strategy to climate change in this context still beg for empirical substantiation. Using the Santchou Landscape of Cameroon as a case, this study sought to (a) examine the effects of climate change on agricultural practices, (b) characterize gender-differentiation in agro-based climate adaptation interventions, and (c) explore the gender-based challenges to agro-based climate adaptation planning. A representative sample of 159 households was conducted in five communities in the study area, complemented by key informant interviews (N = 5). The data collected were analyzed descriptively. The findings of this study revealed the following conclusions: Firstly, climate change significantly affects agricultural practices in the Santchou Landscape as mirrored in faming season fluctuation as well as the alteration of the farming calendar. Secondly, men and women play differentiated roles in agro-based climate adaptation, especially through farming practices such as the introduction of drought-resistant crops, the the practice of intercropping and agroforestry. Thirdly, gender-based challenges to agro-based climate adaptation include unequal access to land between men and women and unequal access to farm inputs, agricultural training, and technology. This study provides empirical evidence to substantiate the theoretical position on gender-differentiated roles in agro-based climate adaptation. Further studies are required to establish the incidence of gender variations in agro-based climate adaptation on livelihoods.
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DOI: 10.3390/su17093772
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