A research report by the United Nations University- Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) suggests that early planting in combination with irrigation are good and cost effective adaptation measures to reduce the impact of climate change on maize yields.

The studyentitled: “Modelling the Impact of Climate Change on Maize Yield under Rainfed Conditions in Sub-humid Ghana”, which was conducted by Dr.Benedicta Yayra Fosu-Mensah, a Visiting Scholar to the institute, positsthat  by the year 2050, precipitation is likely to decrease by 20% with an increase in temperatures between 1.3 – 1.6 oC in Ghana. According to the report, the increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation are likely to cause adelay in the onset of the rainy season, making planting long season cultivars (often high yielding) interfere with minor season planting. Thisdelay is likely to impact on maize yields.

The report indicates that delayed sowing under the condition of increase in temperatures and declining precipitationare likely to reduce maize yield by 28 - 35%.  This reduction could have serious implication for food security in the country. To mitigate the impact, the study proposes early planting as soon as conditions are favourable, construction of irrigation systems using local materials and the provision of storage facilities asadaptation measures to help improve food production and availability under climate change.

Explaining the relevance of the study, the Director of UNU-INRA, Dr. Elias Ayuk, states that, “UNU-INRA’s mandate is to enhance the capacity of researchers to undertake studies such as this one so as to inform policies on natural resource management for Africa’s development”.

He noted that the institute is one of the 15 research and training centres of the United Nations University. UNU-INRA aims to support research institutions and researchers to undertake studies in the area of natural resource management to inform policy formulation and implementation.