Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice

ABSTRACTDespite the beneficial effects of cocoa agroforestry on cocoa production and yield levels, adoption is below expectation while the factors driving adoption are not well known. This study therefore explored the typology of cocoa agroforestry (AF) in Ghana and the drivers of adoption using cro...

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Main Authors: Joseph Amerino, Clever Kwasi Apedo, Benjamin Tetteh Anang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Sustainable Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2023.2296162
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author Joseph Amerino
Clever Kwasi Apedo
Benjamin Tetteh Anang
author_facet Joseph Amerino
Clever Kwasi Apedo
Benjamin Tetteh Anang
author_sort Joseph Amerino
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACTDespite the beneficial effects of cocoa agroforestry on cocoa production and yield levels, adoption is below expectation while the factors driving adoption are not well known. This study therefore explored the typology of cocoa agroforestry (AF) in Ghana and the drivers of adoption using cross-sectional data from cocoa producers in Ghana’s Sefwi Wiawso Municipal. A 5-point Likert scale was used to analyze farmers’ perceptions of cocoa AF while an ordered probit model was applied to assess the factors influencing adoption of cocoa AF. The study revealed that the cocoa landscape in the study area consisted of 7.51% full sun, 31.62% low shade, 30.83% medium shade and 30.04% high shade. Moreover, adoption of cocoa AF was influenced by farmer characteristics (such as sex, farming experience, and household size), farm-specific factors (such as total farm size, number of cocoa farms), and institutional factors (such as involvement in off-farm work, participation in AF training, farmer association membership, and participation in cocoa hand pollination exercise. The most important constraint affecting cocoa AF adoption is poor communication of the benefits of shade trees on cocoa farming. We conclude that farmers are indifferent to the adoption of the AF systems, while the adoption determinants vary across the typology of AF systems. The authors recommend provision of effective training of farmers on cocoa AF to increase adoption. Also, the benefits of cocoa AF should be effectively communicated to farmers via appropriate communications channels such as cooperative groups and farmers’ fora to enhance adoption of the technology.
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spelling doaj.art-336011f6eb614332979dfd70e5ab6f732024-01-16T06:47:48ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSustainable Environment2765-85112024-12-0110110.1080/27658511.2023.2296162Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choiceJoseph Amerino0Clever Kwasi Apedo1Benjamin Tetteh Anang2Department of Agricultural and Food Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, GhanaDepartment of Agricultural and Food Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, GhanaDepartment of Agricultural and Food Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, GhanaABSTRACTDespite the beneficial effects of cocoa agroforestry on cocoa production and yield levels, adoption is below expectation while the factors driving adoption are not well known. This study therefore explored the typology of cocoa agroforestry (AF) in Ghana and the drivers of adoption using cross-sectional data from cocoa producers in Ghana’s Sefwi Wiawso Municipal. A 5-point Likert scale was used to analyze farmers’ perceptions of cocoa AF while an ordered probit model was applied to assess the factors influencing adoption of cocoa AF. The study revealed that the cocoa landscape in the study area consisted of 7.51% full sun, 31.62% low shade, 30.83% medium shade and 30.04% high shade. Moreover, adoption of cocoa AF was influenced by farmer characteristics (such as sex, farming experience, and household size), farm-specific factors (such as total farm size, number of cocoa farms), and institutional factors (such as involvement in off-farm work, participation in AF training, farmer association membership, and participation in cocoa hand pollination exercise. The most important constraint affecting cocoa AF adoption is poor communication of the benefits of shade trees on cocoa farming. We conclude that farmers are indifferent to the adoption of the AF systems, while the adoption determinants vary across the typology of AF systems. The authors recommend provision of effective training of farmers on cocoa AF to increase adoption. Also, the benefits of cocoa AF should be effectively communicated to farmers via appropriate communications channels such as cooperative groups and farmers’ fora to enhance adoption of the technology.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2023.2296162cocoa agroforestryadoptionordered probit modelGhana
spellingShingle Joseph Amerino
Clever Kwasi Apedo
Benjamin Tetteh Anang
Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
Sustainable Environment
cocoa agroforestry
adoption
ordered probit model
Ghana
title Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
title_full Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
title_fullStr Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
title_full_unstemmed Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
title_short Factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in Ghana: Analysis based on tree density choice
title_sort factors influencing adoption of cocoa agroforestry in ghana analysis based on tree density choice
topic cocoa agroforestry
adoption
ordered probit model
Ghana
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2023.2296162
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