Evaluating the effectiveness of climate information services in enhancing smallholder farmers' decision-making and adaptation to climate change in the Mampong municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Climate Information Services (CIS) are increasingly recognised as essential tools for enhancing climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers. Yet, the extent to which CIS are available, accessible, usable, and effectively integrated into local farm decision-making in Ghana remains insufficiently understood. This study assessed the effectiveness of CIS in the Mampong Municipality by analysing their availability and accessibility, farmers' perceived impacts on key agricultural decisions, the effectiveness of different dissemination channels, and the determinants of CIS uptake and use. Using a mixed-methods approach involving household surveys ( n = 200) and eight focus group discussions, the study found that CIS are widely available and frequently accessed, with 85.5% of farmers reporting that CIS influenced at least one farming decision. Farmers reported that CIS significantly influenced decisions on planting dates (83.0%), crop choices (82.5%), and irrigation practices (66.0%), though gender differences emerged in accessibility and usability. Radio emerged as the dominant and most effective dissemination channel, but women reported lower usability of CIS delivered through mobile phones and community-based extension services. Probit regression results indicated that household size and peer influence significantly affected CIS uptake, while socioeconomic characteristics, farm size, and climate-risk perception were not statistically significant predictors. Overall, farmers perceived CIS as contributing to improved adaptive decision-making, but its effectiveness is constrained by gendered access barriers, household-level constraints, and social influences. Strengthening dissemination approaches, tailoring CIS content to user needs, and leveraging social and institutional structures can enhance CIS utilisation and improve climate resilience among smallholder farmers.