Cocoa Farmers Research Articles

Detection of “Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease” in Ghanaian Cocoa Trees Based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Deep Learning Technique

The application of Convolutional Neural Networks and Deep Learning Techniques in the detection of "Cocoa Swollen Shoot" disease in Ghanaian cocoa trees have demonstrated its effectiveness and reliability. This approach provides a valuable tool for cocoa farmers and agricultural authorities to promptly identify and manage the disease, contributing to the sustainable production of cocoa and the preservation of Ghana's cocoa industry. Recent advances in diagnostics have made image analysis one of the main areas of research and development. Selecting and calculating these characteristics of a disease is a difficult task. Among deep learning techniques, deep convolutional neural networks are actively used for image analysis. This includes areas of application such as segmentation, anomaly detection, disease classification, and computer-aided diagnosis. The objective, which we aim for in this article, is to extract information in an effective way for a better diagnosis of the plants attending the disease of “swollen shoot”.

Health implications of pesticides application among cocoa farmers in Idanre local government area, Southwest Nigeria

Pesticides are routinely applied by cocoa farmers to enhance cocoa production, which is threatened by pest infestations and diseases. However, the undesired health implications of pesticide applications on the farmers are yet to be fully elucidated especially among cocoa farmers in Idanre despite being the hub of cocoa production in Southwestern Nigeria. This study assessed the extent of pesticide use by cocoa farmers in the study area and determined the effects of exposure on their health using haematological and biochemical parameters as indices. A cross-sectional survey comprising 150 cocoa farmers and 50 controls (artisans) was carried out using structured questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from participants for the determination of copper and sulphate levels, haematological (haematocrit, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelet counts) and biochemical (creatinine, cholesterol, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin) parameters. The blood levels of copper and sulphate were significantly higher in the cocoa farmers than in the controls. However, there was no significant difference between the subjects and controls for most of the haematological and biochemical parameters except for the platelet counts and total bilirubin levels. The data from the study did not suggest any serious health effects due to pesticide exposure on the cocoa farmers despite the high blood levels of copper and sulphate, probably due to exposure to copper-based fungicides. However, the high serum bilirubin level among the subjects was an indication of possible liver damage. As such, cocoa farmers should be guided against indiscriminate use of pesticides on their farms.

Who Does What? Analysing Gender Division of Labour in Cocoa Households in the Asante Akim North Municipality, Ghana

In a typical cocoa farming household, the question of who among the different genders does what needs to be assessed. This is because it is often thought that males do the majority of work in the household. In bringing balance to this argument, this study used the Caroline Moser framework to assess the gender division of labour in cocoa households in the Asante Akim North Municipality in Ghana. In using a mixed methods approach, questionnaires were administered to three hundred (300) respondents and a focus group discussion was organized for a group of 12 (six males and six females) in the Municipality. The study found that most of the women were responsible for performing the reproductive roles whilst the males performed the majority of the productive roles and the community management roles. Limiting women to the performance of reproductive roles can be detrimental to the development of society at large, most especially in a situation where few women take part in productive and communal developmental. Women should therefore be encouraged and allowed to partake in all community activities and decision-making procedures to ensure there is no gender inequality. Keywords: Cocoa Farmers, Community Managing Roles, Gender Division of Labour, Productive Roles, Reproductive Roles, Households

Local Voices for Cocoa Production: Experiences of Ghanaian Cocoa Farmers on Community Radio

Local radio has played a significant role in keeping local cocoa farmers informed about their farming activities. However, the experiences of these local farmers who should be the real owners of community radio have not been captured. It would be possible to increase cocoa production if the experiences of local cocoa farmers were given the attention needed. Using a quantitative research approach, the multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 385 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. Results show that farmers were undecided about their reliance on community radio and the role it plays in disseminating agricultural information. However, they understood the agricultural-related information disseminated on community radio. They agreed that the content and presentation of community radio programs were suitable for them but were undecided on the transmission quality and community involvement. Interference from local leaders was the most severe challenge facing farmers’ use of community radio. In order to improve extension delivery there is a need for policymakers and agricultural extension stakeholders to implement programs that will encourage farmers to set up and rely on community radio as a great alternative source of information for their farming activities. This is also necessary to improve the currently low contact of extension agents with farmers, thus, reducing the extension farmer ratio.

Assessing Biodiversity Conditions in Cocoa Agroforests with a Rapid Assessment Method: Outcomes from a Large-Scale Application in Ghana

Cocoa fields in West Africa traditionally kept other tree species to provide shade for cocoa trees and obtain food and other products. Measuring other trees is paramount to monitoring environmental conditions in cocoa agroforests, but it has been difficult to apply at a large scale. This study presents the results of a rapid assessment method applied in Ghana, developed to measure non-cocoa tree characteristics based on easily observed parameters using sample surveys and mapping tools. We collected data from over 8700 cocoa farms and evaluated their biodiversity performance based on 6 indicators classified according to recommended thresholds to benefit biodiversity conditions. Our results show that species richness, shade cover, and potential for tree succession have the lowest proportions of fields with the recommended levels, with variations among regions and districts. The methodological procedure allowed us to identify priority areas and indicators falling behind desirable thresholds, which can inform training and management approaches regarding biodiversity-friendly practices in cocoa fields tailored to the needs of the farmers. The analysis procedure was developed with open-access automated routines, allowing for easy updates and replication to other areas, as well as for other commodities, enabling comparisons at different spatial scales and contributing to monitoring biodiversity over time.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COCOA CERTIFICATION AND NON-CERTIFICATION FARMING IN KELAPA DUA VILLAGE, ANREAPI DISTRICT, POLEWALI MANDAR REGENCY

Cocoa is one of the plantation crops that is widely cultivated in Polewali Mandar, the cocoa certification program is an effort to increase cocoa production and prices at the farm level. This study aims to determine the comparison of the income level of cocoa farms through the cocoa certification program and farms that have never participated in the certification program while developing the cocoa commodity, as well as to determine the comparison of R/C ratio and B/C ratio values. The implementation of this research began in May to July 2021, in Kelapa Dua village. Data collection techniques used structured interviews using questionnaires and question and answer. The results showed that the average income achieved by certified cocoa farmers is Rs 5,572.75 per/ha. When compared to the average income of non-certified cocoa farmers is Rs 4,715,429 per/ha. The difference between the income of certified and non-certified cocoa farmers is Rp. 857,325. The results of the R/C ratio analysis for certified cocoa can be planted by looking at the R/C ratio value of 2.40 and for non-certified cocoa has an R/C ratio value of 2.27. Profit B/C ratio result as a result of certified and non-certified income is 3.12. This shows that both certified and non-certified cocoa are feasible to develop, but certified cocoa has a greater income than non-certified cocoa.

Artificial intelligence solutions to reduce information asymmetry for Colombian cocoa small-scale farmers

The lack of information creates problems for Colombian small-scale farmers, as it impedes them from selling at fair prices and knowing efficient production techniques. Around the world, many technological interventions have proven helpful in reducing information asymmetries. Therefore, we proposed a technological scheme based on a genetic algorithm and a natural language processor (NLP) that enables producers to obtain knowledge through information processing. Also, we ran fieldwork in twenty municipalities and a survey among 500 Colombian cocoa small-scale farmers in different regions in Colombia. This fieldwork helps us determine small-scale farmers' necessities, market conditions, and the relevance of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. The results have shown that AI methodologies could improve the economic conditions of small farmers by providing access to information on prices, weather, and production techniques. The fieldwork evidence that a technological tool is a good option only if there are dynamic trade cycles. AI tools could transmit and process information to become producers' knowledge and help them evolve into collective strategies. The methodology, which combines genetic algorithms, NLP, and fieldwork for cocoa farming, is a novelty that contributes to information asymmetry reduction. We contributed to the literature about adopting AI tools to develop cocoa small-scale farming better.

IDENTIFIKASI POLA KEMITRAAN DALAM PENGEMBANGAN AGRIBISNIS KAKAO

<p><em>Cocoa development in East Luwu Regency has prospects based on the potential for production and marketing of cocoa beans. However, there are problems including productivity and low cocoa prices. To overcome these problems, it is necessary to develop cocoa agribusiness through a partnership pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify partnership patterns in cocoa agribusiness development and to determine the level of satisfaction of farmers who partnered with PT. Mars Symbioscience Indonesia. The research method is in the form of direct observation and interviews with the parties involved in the implementation of the partnership pattern, then the data is analyzed using descriptive and analysis of the level of conformity through the level of importance and level of satisfaction. The results showed that the partnership pattern in cocoa agribusiness development in East Luwu Regency was included in the plasma core pattern category, as the nucleus was PT. Mars Symbioscience Indonesia provides capital assistance, training, and training as well as marketing of the harvest, while as a plasma, cocoa farmers produce cocoa commodities. The partnership pattern activities include the upstream sector providing and providing some agricultural equipment assistance, providing seeds and experimental gardens to farmers, the farming sector providing guidance in cocoa cultivation and improving the quality of cocoa beans through harvest and post-harvest counseling and the downstream sector developing direct purchasing patterns to farmers. cocoa farmer. In addition, the level of conformity obtained from the questionnaire on the level of importance and the level of satisfaction of the partnership pattern in cocoa agribusiness development shows an average value of >100%, namely 104.78% in the very satisfied category.</em><em></em></p>

Isolation of urease-producing bacteria from cocoa farms soils in Santander, Colombia, for cadmium remediation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03495-1.

Assessing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana

This study assessed the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers to address the adverse effects of climate variability in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to (i) assess the perception of the smallholder cocoa farmers to climate variability; (ii) determine the perceived effects of climate variability on cocoa production in the district; and; (iii) evaluate the adaptive capacity of the smallholder cocoa farmers to manage climate risks. The study used questionnaire surveys with 150 smallholder cocoa farmers, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in three selected communities (Afiaso, Tonkoase, and Amudurase). A variety of capital assets (social, financial, human, physical, and natural) were utilized to conceptualize smallholder cocoa farmers’ adaptive capacity. Results showed that the smallholder cocoa farmers reported changes in the onset and duration of rains, rising temperatures, and increasing windstorms in the selected communities. The farmers perceived increased incidence of drought and cocoa failure, the prevalence of diseases and pest invasion, and decreased farmer income as the key adverse effects on their cocoa production. Further, findings also revealed that cumulatively, all the selected communities in Adansi South District had a moderate adaptive capacity (0.531). It is recommended that appropriate policies aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder cocoa farmers must be formulated by policymakers to minimize their vulnerabilities to climate risks.

The Role of Communication in Farmer Learning: The Case of Farmer Institution-Based Cocoa Replanting in East Kolaka District, Indonesia

The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of communication in the learning process of farmers in replanting cocoa and the factors that influence it. This research is a survey research with research locations in East Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi Province in 12 villages. The location was chosen because it is a village where the majority of the population cultivates cocoa as the main source of income and a cocoa farmer institution has been formed. The research was conducted for three months, from October to December 2020. The total sample was 192 cocoa farmers from 542 populations that were randomly selected (proportional random sampling) from each farmer institution. Methods of data collection by interview using a questionnaire that has been prepared. Data analysis used descriptive analysis and SEM-GSCA analysis. The results showed that communication played a significant role in the learning process of farmers in the farmer institutional-based cocoa replanting program. Farmer characteristics, institutional characteristics and the support of the three supporting factors influence the role of communication in the farmer's learning process in cocoa replanting.

Does weather index-based insurance adoption influence Cocoa Output? An endogenous swicth regression approach

ABSTRACT Agriculture is the most weather-dependent and risky sector where it is unpredictable when a season will be profitable during harvest. Droughts and floods may increase the risk of weather-related catastrophes in agriculture. Weather index Insurance has been widely recommended for decades to control weather risk. 600 Ashanti cocoa producers were surveyed to see how weather index insurance adoption affects cocoa output in Ghana. The endogenous switching regression (ESR) technique coupled with probit models were employed in this study. Cocoa bean production was 30.8 percent whiles only 15.8% of cocoa farmers knew about weather index insurance. The average annual farm income, off-farm, and remittances were 7.40, 7.26, and 6.61, respectively. Weather index insurance adoption and cocoa output were positively influenced by cocoa farm age, gender, education, awareness, and access to finance. We found that weather index insurance negatively influences cocoa output in Ghana due to inadequate information on insurance among farmers, lack of education, lack of awareness, and access to credit. Our findings will help Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool and the government improve accessibility, affordability, and awareness for cocoa growers in the region and beyond. The findings will add to weather index insurance literature and improve agriculture risk.

Male and stale? Questioning the role of “opinion leaders” in agricultural programs

Social networks can influence people’s behaviour and therefore it is assumed that central individuals in social networks, also called “opinion leaders”, play a key role in driving change in agricultural and food systems. I analyse the outcomes of an intervention (that encouraged Sulawesi smallholder farmers to take a specific action toward improving the health of their cocoa trees) to assess the impact of engaging opinion leaders in agricultural programs that aim to change farmers’ practices. The intervention has been implemented through (a) 18 opinion leaders identified by interviews and a social network survey of 1885 cocoa farmers; and (b) 18 randomly selected farmers who were not central in local social networks. The obtained social networks and statistical data were quantitatively analysed and the results were interpreted with input from the field staff. Contrary to expectations, the highly socially central opinion leaders were not more effective in promoting the initiative in their communities. On average, randomly selected low-centrality farmers convinced almost twice as many of their peers to take the recommended action as compared to the identified opinion leaders (17.1 versus 8.6) but the variation within the random group was also significantly higher. Importantly, while the identified opinion leaders were mostly senior men, women performed better in influencing others into taking action even when their centrality in local social networks of agricultural advice was lower. I discuss the implications of the conventional selection of perceived opinion leaders as model farmers for achieving sustainable and equitable change at scale in agriculture and propose practical alternatives.

PERAN DAN KINERJA LEMBAGA EKONOMI MASYARAKAT SEJAHTERA DALAM USAHATANI KAKAO DI DESA TINETE KECAMATAN AERE KABUPATEN KOLAKA TIMUR

The Prosperous Community Economic Institution is an alternative to improving farmer institutions. The Prosperous Community Economic Institution is considered a gateway to synergize various programs and activities, build networks and commitments between villages, sub-districts and districts. The Prosperous Community Economic Institution is less active in carrying out activities or work programs engaged in cocoa plantations, such as partnerships with companies that do not work properly and do not last long. This study aims to determine: the role of prosperous community economic institutions in cocoa farming and the performance of prosperous community economic institutions in cocoa farming in Tinete Village, Aere District, Kolaka Timur Regency. This research was carried out in Tinete Village, Aere District, East Kolaka Regency which was carried out from June 2021 to August 2021 with a total of 24 informants. Data analysis in this study used qualitative analysis. The results of the study show: the role of the Prosperous Community Economic Institution in Tinete Village can be said to have a role which is marked by the role of the Prosperous Community Economic Institution, namely both as an information center, as a financing institution, both in providing production inputs, building cooperation and a fairly good marketing institution. Whereas the performance of the Prosperous Community Economic Institution in Tinete Village can be said to be good which is marked by the institution's performance in the productivity aspect of farmer institutions which shows good, in the aspect of the quality of service provided by the institution to its members good and satisfactory and from the aspect of responsibility of the existing Prosperous Community Economic Institution in Tinete Village are also appropriate or said to be good.

Stakeholder perspectives on cocoa’s living income differential and sustainability trade-offs in Ghana

Policy responses to balance the trade-offs between nature conservation and socioeconomic development have recently come to the fore in Ghana – the world’s second largest producer of cocoa. In 2019, the Government of Ghana introduced the Living Income Differential (LID), which requires buyers to pay an additional US$400 per ton of cocoa on top of the floor price. With low farmer incomes identified as a critical driver of multiple sustainability issues in Ghana’s cocoa sector, this differential is meant to be directly transferred to cocoa farmers in response to the persistent challenge of poverty in cocoa farming communities. Using the Q methodology, we engaged over 50 stakeholders from various levels (international policy experts, cocoa sector stakeholders in Ghana, and cocoa farmers) to understand how the LID is perceived, including its potential to transform the rural poverty complex embedded in Ghana’s cocoa supply chain. While the LID is lauded for increasing producer price across the board, our findings indicate that the lack of regard for farmer diversity (i.e., tenure rights, sharecroppers, and caretakers), farm size, and land management strategies (agroforestry versus clearing forest to establish farms) risks undermining the ability of this pricing mechanism to reduce farmer poverty. Further, the LID is siloed from on-going sustainability governance efforts in the sector, such as zero deforestation cocoa. If the LID is delivered to farmers across the board without any quid pro quo for how cocoa is produced, the policy’s unintended consequences may include increasing deforestation in the short term, while lowering the world market price of cocoa in the long term as cocoa supply increases. We conclude with policy implications on why different perspectives matter in managing sustainability trade-offs in deforestation frontiers.

Linkage between working conditions and wellbeing: Insight from migrant and native farmhands on Ghana's cocoa farms

Working conditions and wellbeing (quality of life) could be linked, and they in turn enhance social and economic development. Nevertheless, working conditions of farmhands have largely been ignored in policy and research. We explored working conditions of migrant and native farmhands on Ghana's cocoa farms, and implications on wellbeing, using primary data from 600 respondents. Multidimensional Poverty Index, Department for International Development sustainable livelihood approach, World Food Programme asset score, Zellner's seemingly unrelated regression and multinomial logistic regression were adopted. Living standards, resilience, health and asset ownership of farmhands were generally low. Natives had higher living standards than migrants. However, migrants had better food security, and were more resilient to shocks than natives. Working and living conditions like years as a farmhand, closeness to social amenities, years migrant had stayed in community, type of migrant, being joined by a household member, working hours and days, type of agreement, category of farmhand, bonuses, satisfaction with working conditions, and income influence living standards, resilience, health and asset ownership. Thus, there is a link between working conditions and wellbeing of cocoa farmhands. Farmhands should be given long-term contracts, bonuses/incentives and personal protective equipment (PPE) by cocoa farmers. Government and private agencies should provide social amenities/infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities. Farmhands should do their own farms and join associations.

MEASURING PERCEPTIONS AND THE DRIVERS OF MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT OF COCOA FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN ATWIMA MPONUA DISTRICT, GHANA

Limited studies exist on the commitment of members to cooperative societies. Therefore, the study sought to measure perceptions of membership and the drivers of membership commitment of cocoa farmers' cooperative societies in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti Region, Ghana. Data was collected from a sample of 400 cocoa farmers through a multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (binary logit regression) were used in analyzing the data. Results show that cocoa farmers agree that they benefit from the cooperative and they appreciate the management, marketing and business, internal dynamics and public interest of their cooperatives. The study also discovered that farm age, access to extension service, farming experience, farmer status, cooperative benefits and internal dynamics are critical to obtaining commitment in cooperative societies. The study shows the need for the Ghana Cocoa Board to improve farmers’ access to extension services so as to improve their commitment in cooperative societies. Cooperative organizations are encouraged to consider the perceptions of the cocoa farmers and their socio-economic characteristics in order to elicit the desired commitment.

Risiko Produksi dan Pendapatan Usahatani Kakao di Desa Kuajang Binuang Kabupaten Polewali Mandar

<p><em>Cocoa is a commodity that has high economic value and has the potential for sustainability to continue to be developed. Cocoa is a mainstay commodity in various regions in Indonesia, one of which is West Sulawesi which is included in the five largest cocoa bean producing provinces in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the level of production and income as well as the risk of production and income of cocoa farming in Kuajang Village, Binuang District, Polewali Mandar Regency. The method used in this study is a quantitative approach that emphasizes the analysis of numerical data. The sampling technique was carried out using the simple random sampling method. The sample in this study was 40 cocoa farmer respondents or 20% of the cocoa farmer population, which totaled 200 people. Data was collected by observation, interviews and documentation. Analysis of the data used is the Coefficient of Variation (CV) analysis. The results showed that the CV value of production risk was 0,76 which was classified as high risk or very risky. This is because of the attack of pests and plant diseases that reduce the production of cocoa plants. While the CV value of income risk is 0,18 which is classified as low risk. This risk also includes the impact of pests and diseases that cause low production and quality of cocoa beans.</em><em></em></p>

Socioeconomic analysis of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) agroforest in a tropical dry forest

The characterization of production systems is important to determine limitations and potentialities that allow their management. This type of diagnosis has not been carried out in the study region; therefore, there is no information on cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Therefore, traditional cocoa farms in the municipality of Los Andes, department of Nariño (Colombia), were social and economically characterized. Basic information was reviewed and a semi-structured survey was applied to a stratified random sample of 60 cocoa farmers. Eighteen qualitative and 20 quantitative variables were analyzed simultaneously with multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and principal components analysis (PCA). In the PCA, five components explained 58.7% of the variability. The variables with the highest contribution were farm area, income from cocoa yields, income from agricultural production other than cocoa, and family labor. In the MCA, 11 components explained 58.43% of the variability. The most important components were farmers' schooling, transport type, loans, marketing, technical assistance, gender, land tenure, production systems, roads, and domestic animals. Finally, topographic and climatic conditions, inadequate roads and marketing of cocoa and the low adoption of technologies limit the competitiveness of the cocoa farms, hence the need to create favorable conditions to enhance the potential of cocoa agroforests.

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PENGEMBANGAN USAHATANI KAKAO (STUDI KASUS PT.MARS DESA TAROBOK KECAMATAN BAEBUNTA KABUPATEN LUWU UTARA)

The research objective is to identify policies related to the development of cocoa farming by PT. Mars and examine the implementation of cocoa farming development policies at PT. Mars. The technique of determining informants by purposive sampling. There were 10 informants, including the Head of the Agriculture Service, 1 person from the Baebunta District BPP, 1 person from the Field Coordinator of PT Mars, 6 cocoa farmers, and 1 member of the DPRD of North Luwu Regency. Technical analysis of data using qualitative analysis. The research results show that the policies made by the government and implemented by PT. Mars is, (1) conducting certification assistance, cocoa field schools, providing seeds to cocoa farmers, demonstration gardens, wet seed premiums, fertilizer assistance to farmers, (2) Implementation of policies made by the Government and implemented by PT. Mars, (3), The policies implemented by PT. Mars has had a significant impact on the growth of cocoa production and the income of cocoa farmers.