The dissemination and adoption of cocoa production technologies in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the dissemination and adoption of cocoa production technologies in Ghana. The aim was to improve cocoa extension and adoption of technologies to ensure higher yield. The study identified twenty-five technologies and examined the communication factors that influenced the adoption of the technologies. Farmers' background characteristics and farm related factors were also studied. In addition, the study examined the relationships between the level of adoption of the technologies and background characteristics of farmers as well as the farm related factors. The study also identified constraints and best predictor variables of adoption. The results of the study revealed that farmers combined both traditional and science-based technologies in their farming systems. The unified extension system under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture functioned at a lower intensity, as perceived by cocoa farmers, compared with extension provided by the staff of Ghana Cocoa Board. Members of staff of Ghana Cocoa Board remained the major extension providers to cocoa farmers. Most farmers sought information on production-oriented technologies and paid little or no attention to post-harvest technologies. Most farmers preferred the production technology approach and the group method of extension. On the whole, simple, low cost and locally readily available technologies received higher rate of adoption, unlike expensive, foreign, and complex technologies. The over-all level of adoption of technologies was moderate. Farmers in Brong Ahafo Region had the highest level of adoption of technologies. Adoption levels differed significantly among districts and over time. Males dominated cocoa farmers in the study. Most farmers were aged or ageing, educated, experienced, and had five household members. Most farmers could not save from the sales of their produce. Sources of labor included family, hired, communal, and caretakers. Most farmers did not own high cost machinery but could borrow from their localities. The yield of cocoa increased over a three-year period. The mean yield was 384.7 kg/ha. The Cocoa Diseases and Pests Control and "High Tech" Programs apparently contributed to the increasing trend of production. Recent gains in cocoa production should not be signals for complacency. Farmers need to consolidate and build upon the gains to ensure higher production. Constraints to the adoption of technology were lack of credit, high cos! of inputs, labor shortage, and old age of farmers. The best predictor variables of adoption were household size and credit availability. The farm household contributed significantly to cocoa production. Any meaningful development program should center on the household. There is the need to expand credit and savings schemes to assist farmers. For technologies to have full adoption, researchers should address the needs of farmers. Researchers should also develop economically feasible and low cost technologies. Trained extension workers should, of necessity, effectively disseminate innovative practices to farmers to ensure increased production