Climate change awareness and the role of cashew plantations in mitigation and adaptation strategies in Ghana’s Savannah ecological zone

Climate change poses a pressing global challenge, with severe impacts anticipated in Ghana’s Savannah Ecological Zone. Despite significant research on climate change in this region, the specific role of tree crops in climate adaptation and mitigation remains largely unexplored. This study aims to assess the contribution of cashew plantations to climate resilience, mitigation, and adaptation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, where data were collected from 437 farmers and 10 focus groups. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis for quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. The results show a high awareness of climate change (97.5%) among cashew farmers. A significant (71%) of respondents reported that cashew trees are less affected by climate variability compared to staple crops. They also highlighted several benefits of cashew trees, including improved soil fertility, reduced wildfire risks, ecosystem protection, and reduced chemical inputs for farm maintenance. Further, cashew plantations contribute to decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. However, persistent challenges such as livestock encroachment, pests, and diseases hinder the effective utilization of cashew farming for enhanced climate resilience. Despite this, cashew trees hold significant potential to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ghana’s Savannah Zone. Strategic support from the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana is essential to address barriers and maximize their environmental benefits.