TITLE:
Analysis of the Vulnerability of Okra Cultivation to the Effects of Climate Change in the Urban Commune of N’Zérékoré (UCZ), Republic of Guinea
AUTHORS:
Pé Louoguéa Simmy, Mamadi Diakité, Gildas Djidohokpin, Tamba Kinding Leno, Nicole Gobéza Kolamou, Haziz Sina, Adolphe Adjanohoun, Lamine Baba-Moussa
KEYWORDS:
Okra Cultivation, Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability Factors, N’Zérékoré
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.16 No.12,
December
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study assesses the vulnerability of okra cultivation to climate variability in the Urban Commune of N’Zérékoré (CUZ), an area increasingly affected by climate-related disturbances that threaten food security. The analysis is based on surveys conducted with 52 farmers across 18 plots, complemented by qualitative field observations. The results reveal a strong dependence of okra production on climatic and environmental conditions. Cultivation relies largely on traditional practices, with broadcast sowing (73.8%) and fertilization dominated by mineral inputs (87.7%), while the use of organic manure remains limited. Mostly rainfed (98.2%), okra production is highly exposed to climatic hazards, and the use of chemical pesticides is relatively low (29.4%). Major constraints include water availability (42%), limited access to irrigation (58%), and the combined burden of high input costs and low household incomes (61%). Farmers employ several adaptation strategies, with adjustments to the sowing calendar being the most common (52%). The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) reveals notable spatial heterogeneity: four sites show high vulnerability, five medium vulnerability, and two low vulnerability. Overall, the findings underscore the need to strengthen agronomic practices, improve access to water and production inputs, and enhance farmers’ adaptive capacities to boost the resilience of the okra sector to climate change.