Cocoa farmers' perceived impact of the cocoa high technology programme on their livelihoods in the Eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

One of the problems accounting for the relatively low level of cocoa production in Ghana is the decline in soil fertility. The Cocoa High Technology Programme (CHTP) was introduced by the Government of Ghana in 2003 with the aim of improving the fertility of the soil thereby increasing the yields and incomes of cocoa farmers. The study was carried out (using a descriptive-correlational survey design) in Birim South, East Akim, Fanteakwah and Birim North districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana to exam ine the perceived impact of the CHTP on the livelihoods of cocoa farmers who adopted the technology. The results from the study revealed that of the 200 respondents interviewed, 74% to 88% implemented all the five components of the programme. The only exception was timely application of fertiliser where only 42% implemented it. Farmers perceived all the five components of the CHTP namely 1. cultural maintenance, 2. fertiliser application, 3. fungicide application, 4. insecticide application, and 5. harvesting, fermentation and drying technologies, to be 'effective' in increasing their yields and incomes. Generally, cocoa farmers perceived that the overall level of impact of the CHTP on their livelihoods was 'moderately high', i.e. high but below their expectations. Fertiliser and insecticide application components were the major strengths farmers found in the CHTP. Main problems farmers faced were late arrival of fertiliser, high cost of weeding as a result of fertiliser application, unavailability of spraying machines and inadequate training and supervision by Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs). The study further revealed that farmers' yields were significantly improved by the CHTP with mean increase of 72% (from 2.85 bags/acre to 4.9 bags/acre), three years after the implementation of the CHTP. However, the yields were below the expected CHTP yield of 10 or more bags/acre. The mean age of cocoa farmers in the area was 56 years with more than half (54.5%) possessing the Middle School Leaving Certificate. The mean number of years of experience of cocoa farmers was 24. The average land area under cocoa cultivation was 10.5 acres (4.2 ha). There were positive and substantial significant relationships between impact on livelihoods of farmers and each of the five main components of the CHTP at 0.05 alpha level. The results of stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that (l) fertiliser application; (2) harvesting, fermentation and drying technologies; and (3) fungicide application were the best predictors of impact on livelihoods of cocoa farmers, who adopted the CHTP in the study area, with fertiliser application being the overall best predictor variable.