Research Article
Communities’ Perceptions and Coping Strategies to Flood Hazard in a Peri-Urban Catchment: The Case Study of the Zio River Basin, Togo, West Africa
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
43-55
Received:
6 April 2024
Accepted:
23 April 2024
Published:
10 May 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijsdr.20241002.11
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Abstract: Climate and land use changes have exacerbated the frequency and intensity of floods in West Africa. In Togo, the communities of the Zio river sub-basin are regularly affected by flood hazard with severe socio-economic consequences. The main objective of this article is to contribute to the improvement of the resilience of these populations through a better understanding of their perceptions and coping strategies to flood hazards. To achieve this goal, a mixed method consisting of household surveys, focus groups and direct observation is used. In addition, the data collected at the household level focused on the perceptions of the flood (origin and cause), the socio-economic impacts as well as the coping strategies. The results indicate that more than 80% of the households are affected by floods and the main negative consequences are the destruction of houses (40.8%), and interruption of socio-economic activities (58.4%). In addition, the efforts to cope with the severe impacts of floods include embankment (71.6%), storage on occasional shelves (52.3%), digging ditches (26.6% and the construction of cement houses with fairly raised foundations (13.1%). This study shows that is important to integrate indigenous knowledge and local population’s opinions in the flood risk management plans in order to increase their resilience.
Abstract: Climate and land use changes have exacerbated the frequency and intensity of floods in West Africa. In Togo, the communities of the Zio river sub-basin are regularly affected by flood hazard with severe socio-economic consequences. The main objective of this article is to contribute to the improvement of the resilience of these populations through ...
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Research Article
Choices of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability and Its Determinants: Evidence from Farm Households of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
56-64
Received:
26 April 2024
Accepted:
16 May 2024
Published:
30 May 2024
Abstract: Climate variability and change is a serious threat to the livelihoods of rural communities because they are very sensitive to such changes. This study identified farmers’ choice of and factors determining adaptation strategies to climate variability and change in Benishangul Gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia which is harshly affected by climate change stresses. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected from a randomly selected 395 sample households through interviewed using field-based questionnaires and focus group discussions. Relevant secondary data were also obtained from Benishangul Gumuz region Agriculture and Natural resource Bureau, national meteorological agency and different reports. Descriptive statistics were used to describe farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. Multivariate probit model was estimated to identify the factors determining households’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change. The results of the model pointed out that the likelihood of households to adopt soil and water conservation practice, crop diversity, small scale irrigation, improved crop varieties, agrochemical applications and adjusting planting date were 64.7%, 70.4%, 65.5%, 64.2%, 63.6% and 58.9% respectively. The results also indicated that the joint likelihood of using all adaptation strategies was only 2.13% and the joint likelihood of failure to adopt all of the adaptation strategies was 2.82%. Moreover, Multivariate probit model confirmed that age, sex, education status, family size, dependency ratio, total land holding, farming experience, credit access, frequency of extension contacts, distance to the market, total livestock holding, farm income and off/non-farm income have a statistically significant impact on climate adaptation strategies. Therefore, policy makers should focus on towards supporting improved extension service, facilitating the availability of credit especially to adaptation technologies, improving farmers farm income earning opportunities, improving their literacy status, and improving their access to markets.
Abstract: Climate variability and change is a serious threat to the livelihoods of rural communities because they are very sensitive to such changes. This study identified farmers’ choice of and factors determining adaptation strategies to climate variability and change in Benishangul Gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia which is harshly affected by climat...
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Research Article
The Effect of Cultural Factors on the Consumption of Consumable Insects: Evidence from Rural Southwestern Uganda
Isaac Akandwanaho*,
Adrian Wekulo Mukhebi,
Rebecca Kalibwani,
Gershom Nuwemuhwezi
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
65-70
Received:
30 November 2023
Accepted:
21 December 2023
Published:
14 June 2024
Abstract: Consumable insects are an important part of human food systems and their consumption across diverse cultures dates back into the pre-historical period. This study assessed the effect of cultural factors on the consumption of consumable insects in the Kiruhura district of southwestern Uganda. The study employed a post-positivism research paradigm (mixed methodology) in a cross-sectional survey. The survey was conducted across 134 households in the Kiruhura district of South-western Uganda between January and June 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide. Results show that member attitude and perceptions, cultural beliefs, and values were significant drivers of eating insects, particularly grasshoppers in the Kiruhura district. The findings of the study imply that the eating of insects in the area could be enhanced by educating and raising awareness about the importance of utilizing insects as a source of food. More program support that integrates rearing of insects within the household farming system could increase availability and sustainable use of seasonal consumable insects as nutritious food presents great implications for policies targeting dietary interventions.
Abstract: Consumable insects are an important part of human food systems and their consumption across diverse cultures dates back into the pre-historical period. This study assessed the effect of cultural factors on the consumption of consumable insects in the Kiruhura district of southwestern Uganda. The study employed a post-positivism research paradigm (m...
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,
Kossi Komi*
