RESEARCH NEEDS FOR SUSTAINABLE COCOA PRODUCTION IN GHANA

Farmers often receive training on application of approved chemicals, however, it is difficult for them to access these. During the field visit almost all farmers mentioned access to agrochemicals as a major challenge to implementing the project on the farm. Access to agrochemicals is not just about obtaining the right quantity and quality, but also involves timely access: sometimes farmers receive the chemicals when they are no longer useful (Anon., personal communication).

The government plays an important role here, since COCOBOD is responsible for distributing the agrochemicals to farmers for free. However, this is often insufficient and the structure is considered not sustainable for the long term. The organisation is not set up to efficiently handle this and bureaucracy hinders the process. Because COCOBOD has made these chemicals free, it is unprofitable for the local companies to have it in stock which means that farmers cannot buy it themselves. What makes it extra challenging is that the current system of distribution is politicized and access to the services depends on your political position and power (Anon., personal communication).

The Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme (CORIP) by Solidaridad is currently running a pilot where resource centres are established in the communities, where farmers can obtain the required agrochemicals. However, there might be a need to convince farmers to invest some of their profit in chemicals to increase the return in the future. Improving farmer’s organisation can also help in accessing agrochemicals. Moreover, efforts should focus on establishing and promoting integrated pest management and green manure application. Finally, it is not clear what the role of gender is in access to chemicals and land tenure arrangements could also affect access to agrochemicals, though this is not well understood.