Integrating Farmer Innovation and Scientific Knowledge n Ghana’s Cocoa Sector for Sustainability

Adjoa Tsetsewa Annan

Researcher and Project Manager

4 min read
03/10/2024
Integrating Farmer Innovation and Scientific Knowledge n Ghana’s Cocoa Sector for Sustainability

The Role of Farmer Technology in Agricultural Production: Insights from the Ghanaian Cocoa Sector

Two primary knowledge systems—scientific and local—play critical roles in agriculture (Leeuwis, 2013). Local knowledge is dynamic, evolving over time and leading to diverse practices (Varghese & Crawford, 2023). In agricultural production, the construction and diffusion of both knowledge systems are essential for influencing change and sustainability (Leeuwis, 2013).

Historically, scientific knowledge has been favored over farmers’ knowledge in agriculture. However, ignoring local knowledge often leads to the failure of well-intended innovations (Mbah et al., 2021). Forcing scientific knowledge on farmers can lead to resistance and dependency on external solutions (Mbah et al., 2021). Farmers, however, possess valuable knowledge, and learning from them can contribute significantly to sustainable food production. Farmer-initiated technologies are more widely adopted than those imposed externally. Some farmer innovations, however, require scientific enhancement to maximize their potential for current and future food production.

Integrating local and scientific knowledge can better address critical agricultural issues like deforestation, productivity challenges, soil management, pest and disease outbreaks, and improving climate resilience in food systems. Engaging farmers in identifying and documenting their innovations can enhance agricultural extension and advisory systems.

The Ghanaian Cocoa Sector and Cocoa Production

Cocoa (Theobroma), with 22 species, is primarily found in regions between 10ºN and 10ºS of the Equator where the climate is suitable (ICCO, 2013). Ghana, the second-largest cocoa producer after Côte d'Ivoire, has over 800,000 cocoa farmers (Kolavalli & Vigneri, 2018). Together, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire produce over 70% of the world’s cocoa. The Ghanaian cocoa sector is semi-liberalized, with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) overseeing pricing, supply, export, and extension services for farmers.

Scientific and farmer-led technologies play a crucial role in cocoa production, which begins with planting and includes tasks such as weeding, pruning, pest management, and chemical application. Harvesting is one of the most labor-intensive stages. Farmers identify ripe cocoa pods, pluck them from trees, split them open, and extract the beans. After fermentation, typically through the heap method (where cocoa beans are covered with banana leaves for five to seven days), the beans are sun-dried before being bagged for sale.

Farmer-Initiated Technologies in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector

Below are some successful farmer-initiated technologies in Ghana's cocoa sector, documented during field research for a PhD project titled Quality Enhancement of Cocoa Production; a Study of the Cocoa Sector of Ghana (Annan, 2022).

1. Controlling Moss Growth on Cocoa Trees

Moss growth on cocoa trees can reduce yields if left unchecked (Grandsur, 2021). In Ghana, farmers use fermented cocoa pulp juice to control moss growth. The pulp juice is collected during pod-breaking and sprayed onto cocoa trees to prevent moss spread (Acheampong et al., 2013; Grandsur, 2021). This technology was developed by a farmer through experimentation and observation. After reporting it to an extension officer, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) scientifically refined the method, determining the ideal juice-to-water ratio for effective results (Annan, 2022).

2. Mulching with Cocoa Pods

Farmers in Ghana commonly use harvested cocoa pods as mulch to improve soil fertility and productivity. This practice, originally a farmer innovation, was later adopted by CRIG and improved with guidelines on pod quantity and the exclusion of diseased pods (Annan, 2022).

From these examples, it is clear that farmer-initiated technologies are more readily adopted. However, it is unclear whether the scientific refinements of these technologies are equally embraced by farmers.

Conclusion

Farmers have long contributed to agricultural innovation, and their knowledge remains vital to the industry. However, their innovations alone cannot fully transform agricultural systems. A combination of scientific advancements and farmer-led technologies is essential to tackle food insecurity, improve environmental sustainability, conserve biodiversity, and address climate change. For this reason, farmers' innovations should be integrated into scientific research and development to enhance technology adoption and improve the lives of farmers and their communities.

  • References
    Annan, A.T. (2022). Quality enhancement in cocoa production; a study of the cocoa sector of Ghana [Doctoral dissertation]. The University of Bonn. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11811/10113
    ICCO. (2013). Growing Cocoa. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://www.icco.org/about-cocoa/growing-cocoa.html
    Kolavalli, S., & Vigneri, M. (2018). The cocoa coast: the board-managed cocoa sector in Ghana. International Food Policy Research Institute.
    Leeuwis, C. (2013). Communication for rural innovation: rethinking agricultural extension. https://books.google.de/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Eppom7NVmvMC
    Mbah, M., Ajaps, S., & Molthan-Hill, P. (2021). A systematic review of the deployment of indigenous knowledge systems towards climate change adaptation in developing world contexts: implications for climate change education. Sustainability, 13(9), 4811.
    Varghese, J., & Crawford, S. S. (2021). A cultural framework for Indigenous, Local, and Science knowledge systems in ecology and natural resource management. Ecological Monographs, 91(1), e01431.
  • Acheampong, K., Lowor, S. T., Owusu-Ansah, F., & Opoku-Ameyaw, K. (2013). Use of fermented cocoa pulp juice for the control of non-vascular epiphytes on cocoa. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 8, 191-195.
  • Grandsur (2021). “Moss Problems on Cocoa Plants”. Retrieved on 02.10.2024 <‘https://grandsur.com/en/moss-problems-on-cocoa-plants/#:~:text=Moss%20appears%20on%20the%20%23cacao,environment%20and%20lack%20of%20light>

Further reading

Cacao tree

Cacao Certification as a driving force for adopting Improved Farming Technologies in Ghana, Africa

Cacao Variety Selection and Propagation – What are the 3 major variety of cacao?

Cocoa Farmers’ Livelihood Challenges in West African

Cocoa Sustainability and Farmers’ Empowerment