Predictors of integrated soil fertility management practice among cocoa farmers in Ghana

Abstract

This study defines and estimates the proportion of organic and inorganic crop-land husbandry practices in the composite of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) by cocoa farmers in Ghana using their socioeconomic and ecological attributes. A binary logistic regression was used to determine how these factors predict the proportion of organic materials in the composite. The results showed that only 13% of farmers use pure organic-based ISFM while 87% use different combinations of organic-based and inorganic ISFM. The estimates revealed that frequency of access to ISFM information and awareness, level of education and age of farmers below 30 years significantly influenced various degrees of organic-based ISFM. Among the significant ecological predictors were locations of cocoa agroforests, and intercropping cocoa with food crops and other tree crops at establishment phase (0–5 years) of cocoa plantations. These results imply that during the establishment phase, farmers are more likely to use low (<50%) organic-based ISFM. In contrast, farmers who manage matured monocrop cocoa plantations (21–30 years) are more likely to utilize high (≥50%) organic-based ISFM. The use of high organic-based ISFM by farmers can be improved by increasing their access to ISFM information, education and awareness. • There is no scientific evidence of ISFM practice among cocoa farmers in Ghana. • This study predicted factors of ISFM practice by Ghanaian cocoa farmers. • Majority of farmers use combinations of inorganic and organic-based ISFM practice. • Access to extension, education and age influenced adoption of ISFM practice. • Ecological predictors include farm age, farm location and intercropping systems.