Farmers’ attitudes and problems associated with the adoption of cape saint Paul resistant coconut hybrid in the western region of Ghana

Abstract

The Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a very important economic crop in Ghana. But its production is currently running down due to the Lethal Yellowing-type disease commonly known as Cape St. Paul Wilt Disease (CSPWD). To avert this situation the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana introduced a hybrid coconut (SGD x VTT) believed to show tolerance to the CSPWD to farmers. The study assessed the problems and attitudes of farmers in the West Ghana towards the adoption of the hybrid. This descriptive study used interviewed responses from selected farmers in the western region of Ghana where the CSPWD is an issue. The results showed that the farmers were aware of CSPWD, its symptoms and the resistant hybrid. The farmers showed favourable attitudes to rejuvenate their farms with the hybrid, but are sceptical about their success in the long-run. Thus, only few had planted the hybrid. Farmers interested in the hybrid expressed common problems of getting true-to-type seedlings at the right time and at a reasonable cost. Salvaging the coconut industry in Ghana will need concerted efforts from MoFA, Crop Research Institute and agro-based coconut industries to support and promote proven CSPWD-resistant coconut varieties among farmers