Abstract
The main objective of this research project was to identify current cocoa production practices and determine the principal factors that affect the adoption of sustainable farming practices and socio-environmental certifications among small-scale cocoa farmers in Ghana. The study was conducted in two cocoa districts (Atwima Mponua and Ahafoano North) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A combination of stratified, systematic and random sampling techniques was employed to select 439 cocoa producing households for the study. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to gather field data through personal interviews. Results showed that membership in farmers’ organizations, awareness of certification and size of cocoa farm were the main determinants of willingness to adopt sustainable cocoa production methods and certifications. Whereas membership in farmer-based organizations and awareness about different aspects related to certification had a significant positive effect on adoption of cocoa certification, farm size tended to have a significant negative effect on adoption of certification. Formation of cocoa farmers’ associations/organizations in various communities, creation of awareness about certification and continuous education of cocoa farmers are recommended to stimulate adoption of cocoa certification to achieve sustainability in the Ghanaian cocoa industry.
Highlights
Cocoa has historically been a key economic sector and a major source of export earnings in Ghana (Bulir, 1998; McKay & Arytee, 2005)
They came from two cocoa districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana
Even though cocoa farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana are well-aware about the benefits of certifications and sustainable production methods, the adoption rate is still under 40 per cent
Summary
Cocoa has historically been a key economic sector and a major source of export earnings in Ghana (Bulir, 1998; McKay & Arytee, 2005). Cocoa bean exports account for about 40 percent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and provide the second largest source of export dollars. According to the Bank of Ghana, export receipts of cocoa beans and products for the first quarter of 2011 amounted to $859.4 million accounting for about 61 percent of total export earnings as compared with $682.5 million for 2010 which was 48.8 percent (GAIN, 2012; ISSER, 2011).The share of cocoa in Ghana’s GDP rose from 2.5% in 2009 to 3.6% in 2011(GSS, 2012. Cocoa’s share of agricultural GDP rose from 13.7% in 2004 to 18.9% in 2006 (Breisingeret al., 2008). Cocoa contributes about 70 per cent of annual income of small-scale farmers, and stakeholders like Licensed cocoa Buying Companies (LBC's) depend largely on cocoa beans for their trading and marketing activities, employment, and income generation (Asamoah & Baah, 2003)
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