Does the current land tenurial arrangement in Ghana incentivise adoption of environmentally sustainable cocoa production practices? A case study of four selected cocoa growing districts in Ghana

Abstract

A total of 231 cocoa farmers were interviewed through a structured survey in selected districts in the Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Western regions of Ghana to explore their views on how the existing land tenurial arrangement incentivise sustainable cocoa production practices. In addition, 12 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions were held. The composition of focus group discussions ranged between 14 and 26 cocoa farmers. Survey findings revealed that increasing cocoa production through farm expansion is no longer an option but the challenge is to meet the dual goal of environmental sustainability and improvement of farmers' welfare through the adoption of sustainable production practices. Survey findings confirmed that the existing land tenurial arrangements need to be improved in order to incentivise farmers in Ghana to adopt environmentally sustainable production practices. Farmers and other stakeholders suggested that the development of a land policy for cocoa farming that ensures proper documentation and formalisation of tenurial systems with clear benefit sharing agreements, education on land registration and proper acquisition of land and resolution of land disputes will incentivise the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices, among others.