Supply-Side Practices and Constraints of the Kola Nut (Cola nitida (Vent) Schott. and Endl.) Value Chain in Ghana: A Descriptive Evidence

Frederick Amon-Armah,Moses Asani,Sampson Konlan,Solomon Sefa Oduro,Eric Kofi Doe,Daniel Nyadanu,Mathias N Andersen

doi:10.1155/2021/9942699

Frederick Amon-Armah, Moses Asani + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9942699

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Abstract

The use of kola nut, including natural or alternative medicinal sources, has inevitably created an increased global market demand in excess of its production and provides great prospects for the growth of the kola nut industry in producing countries like Ghana. Nonetheless, there is a great dearth of information on Ghana’s kola nut supply-side practices and constraints that can provide a basis for the development of the industry. This study fills the research gap by describing the practices and constraints of farmers, processors, and marketers of kola nut in Ghana. Using a survey methodology, results showed that nearly all (99.5%) farmers interviewed had not received any extension training on agronomic practices. Low market price of nuts (61.5%) and pests and diseases (60.4%) were the most reported constraints to kola nut production. Chiefs among motivating factors for cultivating kola nut were alternative livelihood support (58%). Some processors (28.6%) who rinsed nuts after depulping used a solution of Akate Master (bifenthrin) and others (51.0%) used fumigation tablets (aluminium phosphide) (91.0%) for storing the nuts. However, these chemicals may be dangerous to the health of consumers in the long run. The low selling price of kola nuts was perceived to be the most (74.8%) constraint to kola nut processing and marketing. Respondents noted that the red nuts were preferred for their durability during transportation and longer shelf life, while the white nuts were preferred for their taste. The results suggest the need for further agronomic, postharvest handling, preservation, and storage, as well as breeding research to provide recommendations to farmers and processors. To overcome some marketing challenges, there is a need for policy support to standardize pricing and grading systems for the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders.

Highlights

Kola is a tropical tree crop with over 140 species [1] of which 50 species have been described in West Africa by Adebola [2], cited in Dadzie et al [3]
E kola nut is of enormous medicinal benefits and great sociocultural importance in many West African cultures
Ghanaians and other Africans predominantly use kola nut as a sign of International Journal of Agronomy friendship and peace and in cultural ceremonies, such as part of dowry in marriage ceremonies, child naming, installation of Chiefs, and funerals. e nut is used as a masticatory stimulant [3, 8, 9]

Summary

Introduction

Kola (a member of the family Sterculiaceae) is a tropical tree crop with over 140 species [1] of which 50 species have been described in West Africa by Adebola [2], cited in Dadzie et al [3]. Over 90% of the world’s kola nut is produced in West Africa of which Nigeria contributes 50%, Cameroon 27%, Ivory Coast 16%, and Ghana 8% FAO [6]. E kola nut is of enormous medicinal benefits and great sociocultural importance in many West African cultures. E producer price of kola nut in Ghana increased steadily between the 1960s and 1990s, and this encouraged its cultivation by most farmers in the southern parts of the country leading to a dramatic increase in kola nut production [7]. Kola nut became one of three leading nontraditional agricultural export (NTAE) crops in Ghana including pineapples and yams [7]. In recent years, the volume of kola nut exports and its contribution to Ghana’s total NTAE has dramatically dwindled [14] (Figure 1)

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