Cocoa Farmers Research Articles

Pelatihan dan Pendampingan Pemeliharaan, Intensifikasi, Rehabilitasi Tanaman Kakao Desa Rendenao Kecamatan Kotakomba Kabupaten Manggarai Timur

Cocoa is one of the dominant plantation crops in Rendenao Village, Kotakomba District. Rendenao Village, Kotakomba District, is one of the cocoa development areas in East Manggarai Regency. The planting area is quite satisfactory, but the yield and quality are still below the national average. The general aim of this activity is to build and develop farming communities through cocoa commodity businesses in order to produce quality and reliable human resources. Reliable human resources will be able to manage all existing natural resource potential to produce quality cocoa bean production, both in terms of production and productivity, so as to create added value and competitiveness according to market needs. Apart from that, in the long term it is hoped that this activity will be able to increase people's income and create jobs as well as being able to increase the competitiveness of the cocoa value chain by providing more business opportunities in the cocoa plantation subsector within it. East Manggarai Regency, especially Rendenao Village, Kotakomba District. The focus of implementing this service is increasing knowledge and skills capacity in managing cocoa gardens and plants, rejuvenating old plants, and improving the quality of harvests. During extension activities and field practices, cocoa farmers have been able to carry out cocoa maintenance practices, plant rejuvenation and post-harvest fruit processing practices. At least farmer groups will create demonstration plots to implement care, rejuvenation and post-harvest care which will then be compared with the results achieved conventionally. Apart from that, cocoa farmers are also trained in managing farmer groups. Where the harvest will be concentrated to be given fermentation and drying treatment simultaneously. Marketing will be done collectively, not individually. Collective sales will save transportation costs, so the sales value received will be higher.

Farmer Behavior in Cocoa Farming Activities in Gitak Demung Village, Gangga District, North Lombok Regency

The aims of this study is to investigate farmers' behavior in cocoa farming activities in dryland farming in Gitak Demung Subvillage, Village of Gangga, Sub-district of North Lombok District. The research was conducted using surveys and in-depth interviews (FGD) to collect data on the cultivation practices carried out by cocoa farmers and the factors that influence their behavior (How Many Samples were taken). The survey results showed that farmers in Gitak Demung Village have a very good level of behavior, with the majority of farmers implementing good cultivation practices and in accordance with recommendations. In-depth interviews revealed that farmers' knowledge and awareness of good cultivation practices are the main factors influencing their behavior. In addition, adequate access to resources and technology also plays an important role in shaping good farmer behavior. The findings suggest that the extension and education efforts that have been undertaken by the government, agricultural institutions, and related organizations have had a positive impact in improving farmers' behavior. In conclusion, this study concludes that farmers in cocoa farming activities in Gitak Demung sub-village a very good level of behavior, and improvements in farmers' knowledge and access to agricultural resources and technology need to be considered to maintain and improve this good behavior to achieve sustainable agricultural production of cacao

Determinants of the Adoption of Additional Livelihoods among Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in the Sefwi Akontombra Cocoa District of Ghana

Although the production of cocoa in Ghana sustains the economy, its quantity has not been stable in the past. This instability in the quantity of cocoa produced can be attributed to climatic conditions and other human-induced factors such as Galamsey. In the Sefwi Akontombra cocoa district, one leading cause of the reduction of cocoa is the infestation of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD). Farmers Business School has been one medium through which farmers are educated on how to make farming a business however, various factors seem to limit farmers decisions to adopt these additional livelihoods. Hence, the main objective of the study was to explore the various factors that hindered farmers' decision to adopt additional livelihoods. Employing the simple random sampling method, 410 farmers were selected for the study. A binary Logistic regression model was employed to establish relationships between Additional Livelihoods and the various factors that hinder its adoption. The study revealed that Good Agronomy Practices such as annual pruning, annual fertilizer application, and annual pollination were practiced by farmers. Regardless of this GAP, the quantity of cocoa beans produced annually per hectare has been reduced from 2017 to 2021. The study also revealed that farmers who have adopted additional livelihoods have their income level increased, food security, and general livelihood increased. Most of the farmers (70.7%) were not regular at Farmers Business School which seems to be a reason why the majority have not adopted additional livelihoods. Other factors such as environmental, socio-cultural, and economic were significant at 0.05 significant level. However, personal factors were not significant at either 0.1, 0.05, or 0.01. The study recommends that farmers should be frequent participants in Farmers Business School.

Cocoa Farming Commercialization Level and Influencing Factors

Abstract Cocoa in Indonesia is an important agricultural commodity that plays a significant role in the national economy. As the main raw material for the industry, cocoa is recognized as a commercial commodity. However, at the farm level, the issue of subsistence in cocoa farming is believed to still be a current issue. This study aims to measure the level of cocoa farming commercialization and determine the factors influencing it. The research utilizes secondary data from a survey conducted in collaboration between the Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB University, and Maastricht School of Management (MSM) in the Netherlands, under the Project NICHE (The Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education) in 2016. A total of 270 cocoa farming units were selected from three provinces, namely West Sulawesi, Bali, and West Sumatra. The Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method was used in this study. The results of the analysis indicate that the characteristics of subsistence cocoa farming are more dominant (54.45 percent) compared to the characteristics of commercial cocoa farming (45.55 percent). The factors influencing the level of cocoa farming commercialization are the characteristics of the farming system and the role of economic institutions related to cocoa farming. Personal characteristics of farmers were not confirmed as determinants of commercialization. The implication of these findings is that the level of commercialization is an outcome of the socio-economic environment in which cocoa farming operates.

Liberalization vis-à-vis non-liberalization trade policy: Exploring the impact of price volatility on producer share price and cocoa supply response in Nigeria and Ghana

Cocoa producers respond differently to volatile price shocks, but the nature of these responses remains unknown, especially in the liberalized and non-liberalized markets in Nigeria and Ghana, respectively. Therefore, we assess the extent to which price volatility affects the supply of cocoa while also analyzing the effect of price volatility on Nigeria's cocoa producer price share vis-à-vis Ghana's cocoa producer price share. We further analyze how producers react given the asymmetric nature of price volatility in Nigeria and Ghana. Annual secondary data were obtained from the World Development Index, National Bureau of Statistics, International Cocoa Organization, Central Bank of Ghana, Nigeria, and so on, from 1970 to 2019. We used the Ordinary Least Squares method, generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (GARCH) model, extensions, and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) for this study's analysis. Our results show the presence of volatility in price series and that volatility is asymmetric in nature. The results of the supply response show that price volatility has no significant relationship with cocoa supply in Ghana. In contrast, price volatility has a significantly positive relationship with the supply of cocoa in Nigeria at the 1 % level. The results of the VECM show that, in the long run, the cocoa producer price in Ghana will be negatively affected by both international price volatility and inflation rates at 5 % and 1 %, respectively. We suggest that cocoa farmers should have licensing to sell commodities to the international market directly without interference from the marketing board.

Could social media be a game-changer in improving agricultural extension delivery in Ghana?

In this study, we set out to investigate the transforming power of social media for agricultural extension delivery services in Ghana. We employed a quantitative research approach and drew insights from 374 farmers. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data. Cocoa farmers have some level of awareness of agricultural information on social media (Overall Mean = 1.88). Farmers regard social media platforms as potential sources of agricultural information (Perception Index = 3.38). Majority of farmers own smartphones (53.74 %) and have internet access (53.74 %). About 31.86 % of farmers spend 30 min to 1 h daily time browsing social media for agricultural information. About 57.65 % use social media for accessing agricultural information and implementing farming practices. According to 89.38 % of farmers, social media information helps to improve crop yield and pest management. The main constraint facing farmers in the use of social media is high data costs (Mean = 7.30). We recommend that the government in collaboration with telecommunication companies should explore innovative pricing models to reduce the cost barrier for farmers accessing agricultural content online.

Harnessing climate information service use for cocoa farming sustainability in Ghana

ABSTRACT Climate change poses significant challenges to agricultural sectors worldwide, including the cocoa industry, which is highly vulnerable to climate variability. Understanding how climate information services (CIS) can support cocoa farmers in adapting to these challenges is crucial for enhancing resilience and ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. We employed a survey methodology that usedd a simple random sampling technique to select 400 cocoa farmers. The findings show that a substantial majority of cocoa farmers actively use climate information services. Weather forecasts emerge as the most commonly utilised CIS (87.57%). Radio emerges as the predominant source of climate information, notably for its accessibility and reach. Respondents expressed a favourable perception of CIS. Membership in farmer-based organizations and access to extension services enhance the likelihood of CIS utilisation. A compelling narrative of the remarkable outcomes of CIS unfolds, spotlighting a 53% increase in cocoa yields, a resounding 72% reduction in household food insecurity, and a striking 58% surge in income. Despite these triumphant strides, the perceived complexity surrounding CIS dissemination and utilisation emerges as a key challenge. Urgent efforts to streamline accessibility, foster comprehension, and bolster resource allocations must follow, ensuring that cocoa farming remains a beacon of sustainable prosperity.

Influence of fermentation on the quality of Fijian Theobroma cacao beans over two harvest seasons

ABSTRACT Theobroma cacao beans are cultivated in Fiji by smallholder farms in low volumes, mainly for export. Cocoa beans are often processed under ambient conditions by farmers and cocoa processors. Postharvest processing includes natural fermentation from six to ten days in wooden boxes, followed by sun – drying in the open for up to 14 days. The impact of fermentation conditions on key quality parameters of Fijian cocoa beans, such as temperature profile, pH, and total extractable polyphenol content (TPC) are presented in this study. The quality of fermentation was assessed using a standard method, such as a cut test followed by fermentation index (FI) measurement. A temperature increase to 40°C and variations in the pH of the bean mass were evident during natural fermentation. TPC in the cocoa beans was sensitive to temperature and pH. Fermentation was variable due to weather conditions between harvest seasons. The dry season had the best conditions for fermentation as the peak temperature of the bean mass was 40°C and the FI was high (1.39 ± 0.04) There is a need to improve fermentation during the rainy season. This can be achieved by providing training to Fijian cocoa farmers on using better fermentation techniques.

Modernizing cocoa production in Ghana: successes, constraints, and future possibilities of innovation diffusion in the cocoa sector

ABSTRACT This paper employs the political settlement framework, diffusion theory, and data generated through a mixed methods design to examine the adoption of innovations and technology in Ghana’s cocoa sector, with particular reference to the Juaboso district, a major cocoa producing area. The findings indicate that while most farmers have adopted improved cocoa planting methods in rows, the use of hybrid varieties and application of chemicals because of perceived benefits of these innovations and state support in adopting them, the use of fertilizers on cocoa farms is very low due to political economy issues, economic challenges, and neopatrimonialism. Historically, corrupt state politicians have used the fertilizer subsidy programme to strengthen patronage networks and reward crony capitalists. We conclude that the socio-political dimension of innovation-diffusion overrides the technical-economic reasons often cited in the literature for the failure of cocoa farmers to adopt these technologies. Addressing neopatrimonialism and recent politicization of input distribution is needed to enhance adoption of innovation and improved technology in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Assessment of pesticide knowledge, Safety Practices and postharvest handling among cocoa farmers in South Western Nigeria

Cocoa beans are susceptible to fungal contamination during processing and storage. The knowledge of the use of pesticides and post-harvest handling of cocoa beans among farmers is of great importance for safe consumption. The study evaluated common cocoa production and post-harvest practices of farmers in selected study locations in South Western Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires, and interviews. The collected data were analyzed using inferential descriptive statistics. The results of 394 farmers showed that 52.9 % in Osun and 47.3 % in Oyo were primarily farmers by occupation, the rest had other ventures. The majority of cocoa farmers were men:83.6 % in Oyo State, 88.2 % in Osun state and 87.9 % in Ondo state. 28.6 % and 32.7 % of farmers were aged 51–60 in the Ondo and Oyo communities, respectively. Osun farming communities are dominated by young adults (51 %) of 31–50 years, followed by Ondo 40 % and36 % of farmers in Oyo State. Most cocoa farmers were married with 4–6 children as the most common household size in Osun (51 %), Ondo (60.4 %) and 49.1 % in Oyo State. The literacy level of farmers in cocoa communities was the highest in Oyo state where 47.3 % had tertiary education. Farmers in Oyo State had better knowledge of the dangers of pesticides than Ondo and Osun. However, ignorance of dangers in agrochemicals was higher among Osun farmers than in Ondo State. The highest (18 %) pesticide use during storage was recorded among Oyo farmers, while the least (11.0 %) was recorded among farmers in Ondo State. Pesticide usage was more abundant in Osun (50 %) during cocoa production than in the other study areas. The majority of farmers were positively disposed to make use of nose masks during agrochemical application, meanwhile, 69 %, 62 %, and 61 % of farmers used them already in Oyo, Ondo, and Osun states, respectively. Educational qualification (χ2 = 9.176, p = 0.027) of cocoa farmers was significantly related to knowledge of best practices. Farmers with higher education have a greater ability to receive and process information relating to global best practices in production, postharvest, and pesticide handling in cocoa. In conclusion, cocoa farmers’ knowledge of processing, use of pesticides, and storage practices differed from one location to another. Intensive orientation and more enlightenment by extension workers against indiscriminate use of pesticides in cocoa plantations and stores must be consistently and continuously done.

Exploring Legal and Non-Legal Approaches to Eliminating Child Labor in the Cocoa Industry In Ghana

Abstract The problem of child labor in cocoa-producing countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast has been projected into the international limelight due to coverage by notable international media organizations like CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera. The incidence of child labor in the cocoa industry raises legal and ethical issues in the production and manufacturing processes that feed into international trade. This paper explores the international legal framework on child labor under the Minimum Age Convention and the consistency of Ghanaian domestic law with the Convention. It further discusses empirical data collected from Anyinam, a cocoa farming community in the Eastern Region of Ghana and the sustainability programme of Federated Commodities Ltd. (FEDCO), as a private sector responsible business initiative aimed at addressing the problem of child labor from a holistic approach.

The role of household labour for sustainable intensification in smallholder systems: a case study in cocoa farming systems

Sustainable agricultural intensification aims at increasing yields on existing agricultural land without negative environmental impacts. Managing pests and diseases contributes to increasing yields. Without synthetic pesticides, this management is labour intensive. Smallholder farming systems heavily rely on manual and household labour, which will be affected by future demographic changes. Knowledge on how these changes will affect sustainable intensification is limited. Based on a case study of Ugandan cocoa farms, we tested the impact of increased household labour availability on pest and disease management (PDM) practices and pesticide use. We made use of a unique quasi-experimental design, in which household labour increased during the national COVID-19 lockdowns as children did not attend school and family members returned from cities. Our interview data from 2019 to 2021 showed that household labour availability increased on average by 0.8 (±2.5) household members and 16% of labour days per hectare. Using different regression models complemented with qualitative insights, we found that the uptake of alternative PDM practices significantly reduced pesticide quantities and expenditures. The implementation of alternative PDM practices was only weakly influenced by household labour availability and increased with farmer training and trust in alternative practices. These results imply that alternative PDM practices are an important pillar for production with little or without synthetic pesticides and their adoption requires support and incentives, especially on labour or resource-constrained farms.

Sensitivity Analysis and Optimal Control of Cocoa Black Pod Disease Caused by Phytophora Margakarya

To address the critical threat black pod disease poses to global cocoa production and farmer income, this study developed a novel mathematical model that utilizes a system of ordinary differential equations to capture the interactions between various stages of cocoa pods (susceptible cherelles, young/mature pods, ripe pods) and their disease state (exposed, infected). Additionally, the model incorporates the dynamics of the disease-causing pathogen population. Employing Pontryagin's Maximum Principle, the model optimizes control strategies that minimize disease impact. This optimization identifies the efficient allocation of resources, timing of interventions, and deployment of control measures like infected pod removal, fungicides, and sanitation practices. The finding of the study reveals that control measure u3 which is rouging (pod removal) and any one of the remaining control measures is best for the treatment of cocoa black pod disease caused by Phytophora Megarkaya. These findings translate into valuable, data-driven recommendations for cocoa farmers and disease management professionals. By strategically combining infected pod removal, targeted fungicide use, and environmental management practices, farmers can significantly reduce disease severity, enhance cocoa production, and promote a more sustainable cocoa industry.

Assessing the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains: a perspective from the smallholder cocoa farmer

This research examines the potential outputs, outcomes, and impacts of the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (LkSG) on the smallholder cocoa farmers in West Africa. The study primarily relies on a literature review and an impact pathway to conduct a systematic analysis to identify the potential effects of the LkSG on smallholder cocoa farmers. The findings indicate that some, but not all of the risks addressed by the LkSG align with those faced by smallholder cocoa farmers and their families. Additionally, the research also reveals weaknesses, particularly in managing environmental risks, which the LkSG does not adequately cover. Our findings show that in the short- and medium-term, the LkSG has no potential effects on smallholder cocoa farmers. Furthermore, the potential positive impacts of the law on smallholder cocoa farmers will take a long time to realize, as the LkSG considers primarily tier-1 suppliers. Companies in Germany might reassess their supply chains to strive for an LkSG-risk-free supply chain, which could in the long term have sustained impacts on smallholder cocoa farmers. However, we recommend a comprehensive risk analysis of the cocoa supply chain to enhance the human rights of cocoa farmers.

Identification of returns to new technologies under distinctive econometric approaches

ABSTRACT This article uses distinctive econometric models to investigate returns to new technologies and whether adoption decisions can be explained by comparative advantage. I consider three models: static and dynamic panel models of homogeneous returns to fertilizer, as well as the correlated random coefficient model of heterogeneous returns. I discuss both the benefits of using each of the models and their interpretations. I then use data from cocoa farming in Ghana to identify the returns to fertilizer by means of these three models. The estimated average returns in different models are positive, high and strongly significant statistically. I also find evidence of heterogeneous returns to new technology based on comparative advantage. My overall results suggest that adoption of new agricultural technologies may not necessarily benefit all farmers, and the adoption decision may be crop-specific, context-specific or technology-specific.

Determinants and outcomes of participation in decision-making in cocoa farmer cooperatives

ABSTRACT This article researches the intricate dynamics of decision-making within farmer cooperatives, focusing on the Upper Denkyira East Municipality in the Central region of Ghana, Africa. We selected a sample of 387 farmers using a combination of cluster and simple random sampling techniques. We gathered primary data through the administration of a structured questionnaire. Our findings reveal a pattern of rational decision-making among farmers, particularly concerning membership selection, access to credit facilities, procurement of agricultural inputs, and utilisation of welfare services within cooperatives. Demographic factors, such as age, gender, educational attainment, farming experience, and land ownership status, significantly influence these decisions. There is a significant association between decision-making processes and the adoption of agronomic practices, food security, and livelihood assets. Initiatives aimed at capacity-building should focus on providing training and educational resources to improve farmers’ understanding of cooperative principles, financial management, and agricultural best practices.

Cocoa farmers' perspective on the quality of public and private agricultural extension delivery in Southern Ghana

While the theme of extension service quality has been extensively explored, we set out distinctly to compare farmers' perceptions of quality of public and private extension services. We adopted a survey method and collected data from 385 farmers. The private extension service received superior ratings as compared to the public services. Using multivariate probit model, we found gender, farm size, education, and access to hired labour as factors that affect extension service quality. Key challenges are wide agent-to-farmer ratio and high cost of services. We encourage collaborative efforts between government and private extension organisations to elevate extension delivery to farmers.

Design, development and performance evaluation of a portable cocoa seed extractor

Even though cash crops like cocoa, cotton and rubber are a major source of revenue for the nation, the unavailability of affordable and easily accessible post-harvest process machines has made it impossible to generate maximum income from these crops. A cocoa seed extractor was produced to increase the productivity of cocoa farmers and reduce the stress and dangers they are exposed to in the process of splitting the cocoa pods and separating the cocoa beans from the pods. The machine has two major chambers: A cocoa seed extractor was produced to increase the productivity of cocoa farmers and reduce the stress and dangers they are exposed to in the process of splitting the cocoa pods and separating the cocoa beans from the cocoa pods, fed into it by the conveyor belt, to crack the pods as they are forced through the centre of rotation. The sprout then conveys the cracked pod to the separating chamber where a rotating beater beats the pod, forcing the cocoa seeds out of it. The seeds then pass through the 16mm sieve in the chamber and are collected at the cocoa seed outlet while the pod is collected at the pods outlet. The machine is powered by a 3 horse power and a 0.74 horse power electric motor. The materials used in its fabrication are locally sourced. A performance evaluation of the machine reveals that it works at an efficiency of 87.5% in terms of the number of cocoa pods processed per day, and at 75% efficiency in terms of the number of cocoa seeds processed without damage. The throughput of the machine is 250kg/hr. Thus, the cocoa seed extractor can process 8,228pods/day compared to about 400pods/day that can be processed by an average person.

Actor Perceptions of the Governance Framework and Non-Carbon Benefits from the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program: An Extended Q-Study of the Juabuso-Bia Hotspot Intervention Area

The expansion of cocoa farms is a major driver of deforestation and emissions in Ghana’s high forest zone. The Ghana Cocoa Forest Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Program (REDD+) was launched as the world’s first commodity-based initiative to address emissions from deforestation caused by cocoa production and generate non-carbon benefits. Hotspot Intervention Areas were established to implement the Ghana Cocoa REDD+ program. This study combines Q-methodology with focus group discussions and interviews to assess stakeholder perceptions in the Juabuso-Bia cocoa landscape regarding the capacity of the Hotspot Intervention Area to facilitate the generation of governance and economic non-carbon benefits to sustain emission reductions. We found that introducing the Hotspot Intervention Area has re-centralized landscape governance, which, coupled with weak collaboration among stakeholders, has led to poor generation of non-carbon benefits. Furthermore, efforts to include women in the leadership structure of the Hotspot Intervention Area can be described as tokenism, and little has been done to improve land and tree tenure for vulnerable groups. This, combined with the low adoption of climate-smart cocoa practices, is likely to negatively affect the generation of economic non-carbon benefits. To overcome these challenges, we recommend reforming the Hotspot Intervention Area, bolstering community-level sensitization, improving access to decision-making spaces that will enhance the participation of women and minority groups in landscape governance, and improving farmers’ tenure security through a registration scheme for land and trees. These recommendations can ensure the efficient generation of non-carbon benefits, which are key to the success of REDD+.

Cocoa Farmers and Agrochemical Safety Compliance:

This study addresses the lack of empirical insights into the adherence of cocoa farmers to safety protocols. Specifically focused on agrochemical safety compliance, the research employs a quantitative approach and collects data from 385 cocoa farmers in the Nzema East Municipal through a structured questionnaire. The analysis utilizes mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentages, and Tobit regression models. The study finds that cocoa farmers exhibit a high level of knowledge and preparedness in agrochemical handling practices, positive agrochemical usage practices, and proper agrochemical storage practices. Cocoa farmers employ integrated pest management strategies, using diverse fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides to address crop health and productivity challenges. Tobit regression results showed that the extent of use of agrochemicals was significantly influenced by marital status, household size, farming experience, cooperative membership, and access to spraying machines and personal protective equipment. The research highlights the importance of integrating safety considerations into agricultural policies and practices, emphasizing the role of knowledge and awareness in influencing farmers' practices. It suggests the need for targeted interventions and educational programs to enhance agrochemical safety compliance among cocoa farmers.