KNUSTSpace >
Research Articles >
College of Agric and Natural Resources >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14739
|
Title: | The role of shade trees in influencing farmers’ adoption of cocoa agroforestry systems: Insight from semi-deciduous rain forest agroecological zone of Ghana |
Authors: | Kaba, James Seutra Otu-Nyanteh, Alexander Abunyewa, Akwasi A. |
Keywords: | Unshaded cocoa system Sustainable Ecological Cocoa agroforestry system |
Issue Date: | 20-Dec-2021 |
Abstract: | Farmers growing desire for no shade cocoa system has reiterated the scepticism about the impact of research on
farmers’ adoption of cocoa Agroforestry. In this study, we assess farmers’ perception about shade trees and how
that influences their adoption of cocoa Agroforestry. Five cocoa growing communities in the Eastern Region of
Ghana and 91 cocoa farmers were purposively sampled and interviewed. The result showed that the most
desirable shade trees among the farmers were Spathodea campanulata, Terminalia superba, and Terminalia ivorensis
while Alstonei boonei was the least desirable. About 87 % of farmers introduced shade trees at different stages of
cocoa farm establishment while 13 % of farmers had existing trees at establishment. Farmers with less than 11
years farming experience and those with Senior High education kept the recommended number (15–18) of shade
trees ha− 1. Most farmers related the importance of shade trees to the good growth of cocoa associated crops (37
%) and as source of fodder (31 %), while higher cocoa yield and low education on the importance of shade trees
were major reasons farmers removed shade trees. In conclusion, collaboration between farmers and other
stakeholders in the cocoa sector is essential in reversing the growing hunger for no shaded cocoa system. This
collaboration must focus on educating farmers on the importance of shade trees, and by providing money and
agro-inputs support to farmers as impetus for the adoption of cocoa Agroforestry in Ghana. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14739 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Agric and Natural Resources
|
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
|