The impact of extension services and policies on cocoa productivity in the western region of Ghana

Abstract

Cocoa production dominates the agriculture sector in Ghana and plays a crucial role in the domestic economy and the world economy. However, over the past decade cocoa production in Ghana has been baffled with low productivity prompting successive governments and stakeholders to come up with policies and initiatives to improve production. However, despite these numerous policies, Ghana continuous to have the lowest average yield in relation to international comparisons. This study used the Structural Equation Model (SEM) and data for this study was sourced from 90 cocoa farmers in Juaboso, Bia West and Bibiani districts in the Western region of Ghana using semi structured questionnaires and the simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The Structural Equation Model results have also demonstrated that the most significant factors (policies) affecting cocoa productivity in the study area were the fertilizer subsidies offered by the government and the extension services provided by the ministry of agriculture in collaboration with the Ghana COCOBOD. However, the CODAPEC mass spraying exercise didn't contribute significance to cocoa productivity.