Cocoa Production in the Central Region of Ghana : challenges and developments for a more sustainable production

Abstract

The global cocoa production has experienced difficulties with climate change during the last years, and the global chocolate price has increased by 200% in two years. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa beans globally with 800 000 registered cocoa farms. Cocoa beans are Ghana’s most important export commodity that supports the whole country’s economy and GDP and is employing 70% of the agricultural sector. Central Region is one of Ghana’s cocoa districts, yet most information and research are based on other cocoa producing regions. The purpose of this study was to find the main challenges in cocoa production in the Central Region of Ghana and to see how the production can develop to be more sustainable. The study was conducted as a qualitative research based on interviews and observations in the Central Region in Ghana. Farmers, International Cocoa Organizations and employees at the governmentally owned Ghana Cocoa Boards [COCOBOD] were interviewed. The results show that farmers are challenged by high input prices and low output prices. Climate change is causing irregular rainfall which complicates the growing conditions as well as increasing pest infestation. The support from COCOBOD is helping the farmers, however the support is not regular nor working as it should. COCOBOD denies that cocoa production is a common cause of child labour and deforestation, which is proved by research and farmers. In order to develop the cocoa production in Ghana’s Central Region, farmers need to form producer groups to increase the knowledge sharing, invest in machines and have better communication with COCOBOD. COCOBOD on the other hand needs to invest and employ more consultants and review the cocoa price to mimic the global market fluctuations. That way profitability will increase and challenges with smuggling and land destruction by illegal mining will decrease