Cocoa Farmer’s Perception of Climate Variability and Limitations in Cocoa Production in Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone

Every region of our present world is experiencing climate change though its variability varies per region and the type of activities carried out for their livelihood. Cocoa producing communities in Kono District highly depend on the prevailing weather conditions for their production and a shift (variability) affects their production greatly. The aim of this study was to evaluate cocoa farmer's perception of climate variability and its limitations to their production in Sandor Chiefdom, Kono District. The study communities were purposefully selected because cocoa farming was their main livelihood source and therefore had all the variables needed for the completion of this research. The study adapted a longitudinal research design. Respondents perception of climate variability and limitations was explored in the study communities from 2010-2020. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents thus; four (4) out of nine (9) sections were purposefully selected (Sangba Feh, Senkongo Feh Yawantanda, and Bafin) and fifteen (15) respondents from each section which totals sixty (60). Ten (10) stakeholders were recruited which included staff of Produce Monitoring Board (PMB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Traditional Leaders/land Owners. The total number of respondents totals seventy (70). Questionnaire and interview schedule were the two (2) data collection tools used and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Weather variability have over the years affected cocoa production in the selected study communities in Sandor Chiefdom, Kono District therefore two key weather parameters (temperature and rainfall) were used to determine climate variability. Respondents' perception was sought on the two weather parameters in exploring climate variability in the study communities. It was discovered that all the respondents were aware of climate variability and its impact on their production. All the respondents stated that there was increased and decrease in temperature and rainfall for some years between 2010 and 2020 which was due to climate variability. Climate variables that limited respondents' cocoa farm activities ranges from inadequate weather information to vulnerability to pest and diseases. It was concluded that the perception of respondents on climate variability was correct. Therefore it was recommended that weather information and agricultural extension services provided for cocoa farmers should be accessible and reliable. Keywords— Climate, variability, Sandor, temperature, rainf