Why there has been decrease in cocoa production in Ghana?

The decline is partly a result of decreasing areas under cultivation. Another problem in cocoa production in Ghana is low yields per ha, which is attributed to the incidence of pests and diseases, a low producer price, and non-adoption of research recommendations.

What are the factors resulting in the decreased production of cocoa?

Reasons for the low productivity include poor farm maintenance practices, planting low-yielding vari- eties, and the incidence of pests and diseases (Anon., 1999; Abekoe et al., 2002). Poor farm maintenance practices are attributed to the low prices paid to Ghanaian cocoa farmers (Anon., 1999).

What are the factors that affect cocoa farmers in Ghana?

The regression analysis showed that land size, member of farmer association, experience in cocoa farming, awareness of organic cocoa and access to extension service are the main factors that influence cocoa farmers’ decision to adopt organic cocoa practices.

What were the problem faced in cocoa production?

Deforestation and loss of biodiversity In many countries, cocoa production is threatened by aging plantations, poor farm management, soil degradation and increasing pest and disease pressure. To increase production and meet demand, cocoa producers often rely on the clearing of additional forest land.

Why is cocoa produced in Ghana?

Cocoa serves as a major source of living for most people in Ghana. In the rural areas, most adults are farmers and have plantation farms which provide them with an income. The world market have increased the prices of cocoa so it has served as a major source of revenue for the people in Ghana who cultivate cocoa.

How does cocoa affect the environment?

Cocoa production has potential to do no environmental harm if properly managed, but best practices are not widespread, leading to soil erosion and ultimately further deforestation for new plantations. When the soil erodes, the land becomes less fertile for cocoa and yields decrease.

Why cocoa farmers are poor?

Farmers are in poverty through lack of living income. A lack of a living income leads to unsustainable farming practices, including deforestation linked to cocoa farming, and the pernicious problems of irresponsible labour practices including child and forced labour.

What is special about the cocoa in Ghana?

Cocoa is the chief agricultural export of Ghana and Ghana’s main cash crop. Ghana is the second largest cocoa exporter in the world, after Ivory Coast. Some studies show that about one-fourth of all cocoa farmers receive just over half of total cocoa income.

How much is a tonne of cocoa in Ghana?

Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced a new producer price for cocoa for the 2020/2021 crop season. The new producer price is pegged at GHC10,560 per metric tonne of cocoa indicating that a bag of cocoa is now GHC660. The current price per 64kg bag of cocoa is GHC514.

Why are cocoa yields so low in Ghana?

The decline is partly a result of decreasing areas under cultivation. Another problem in cocoa production in Ghana is low yields per ha, which is attributed to the incidence of pests and diseases, a low producer price, and non-adoption of research recommendations.

What are the causes of low productivity in Ghana?

Low productivity was identified as the main problem and the causes were classified into biological and socioeconomic factors. The biological factors include the incidence of pests and diseases, most of which have received extensive research attention in Ghana, and of epiphytes, which have been neglected.

How is the government helping cocoa farmers in Ghana?

Since 2003, the government has also started an interest-free credit scheme called the Cocoa ‘Hi-Tech’ Programme, which aims at increasing productivity by providing fertilizers and pesticides. In its first year, 50,000 farmers benefited from this programme, a number that increased to 100,000 one year later.

Why did cocoa production decrease in the 1980s?

The decrease in production in the early 1980s was attributed by government to adverse weather conditions that led to widespread bush fires, destroying many cocoa farms (Anon., 1999).