Effects of Climate Change on Cropping Systems : Examples of research data on mitigation strategies in Africa

Key concerns in Africa are: 1) recurrent famine due to uncertain rainfall patterns, 2) poor crop yield resulting from low soil fertility and 3) poverty. Examples of climate-induced problems in some African countries namely Niger, The Gambia, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Ghana and Rwanda are cited. Research data show that the impact of weather variability on crop yield can be mitigated. People, livestock, and plants live and die on the planet and atmospheric CO2 and greenhouse gases continue to rise, regardless of location. Farmer-affordable technologies to mitigate effects of these problems have been demonstrated and are discussed here. Our emphasis is on soil and crop management after land-use change; therefore, our findings are supported by data on moisture conservation, fertilizer and manure applications, agroforestry, soil carbon, residue management, water balance, cropping systems and risk analysis from specific sites in Africa. Integrated pest management as influenced by variability in climate with respect to rice, cocoa and coffee has also been reviewed. This review seeks to inform researchers, policy-makers, extension agents, students and farmers on some mitigation strategies.