Baseline Farmer Survey of Smallholder Cocoa Farming Systems in Ghana

The effects of the prevalent low-input systems of production, over-aged farms, and unstable climate are worsened by weaknesses inherent in the formal system of production and distribution of recommended cocoa varieties. Generally, the purpose of the baseline survey was to obtain perception of the farmers in the target communities on the possibility of re-introduction of cocoa in denuded and marginal areas which were previously cropped to cocoa, but now food crops; determine farmers’ interest in planting new cocoa varieties; and determine farmer behavior in the use of technologies of cocoa farm establishment and maintenance. The survey was conducted in the period starting from 10th December, 2013 to 5th July, 2014 at Asesewa (Konkoney) in the Eastern Region, Akomadan and Afrancho in the Ashanti Region, as well as Kenyasi (Atwidie), Bechem (Breme) and Acherensua (Kokontreso) in Brong-Ahafo Region. The project sites and 192 respondents were purposively sampled. A standard questionnaire was employed to interview the respondents. Data analysis indicated that 40.0% of the respondents would want their farms to be rehabilitated whereas 60.0% indicated they would not. Also, 98.4% of them reported a higher possibility of re-introduction of cocoa in the denuded and marginal areas whilst 1.6% indicated that it was impossible. Additionally, 79.6% of the respondents expressed interest in testing any new cocoa varieties on their farms as part of the project while 20.4% were disinterested. In conclusion, the survey has indicated that re-introduction of cocoa in marginal and denuded area is highly probable.