Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?

Ghana, as the second largest global producer of cocoa, is strategically positioned on the world market. Consumer concerns over ethical and environmental issues associated with cocoa production are a potential threat to its position. These concerns have given rise to certification. Certification dict...

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Main Authors: Gockowski, J., Afari-Sefa, Victor, Sarpong, D.B., Osei-Asare, Y.B., Agyeman, N.F.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Informa UK Limited 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/52082
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author Gockowski, J.
Afari-Sefa, Victor
Sarpong, D.B.
Osei-Asare, Y.B.
Agyeman, N.F.
author_browse Afari-Sefa, Victor
Agyeman, N.F.
Gockowski, J.
Osei-Asare, Y.B.
Sarpong, D.B.
author_facet Gockowski, J.
Afari-Sefa, Victor
Sarpong, D.B.
Osei-Asare, Y.B.
Agyeman, N.F.
author_sort Gockowski, J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Ghana, as the second largest global producer of cocoa, is strategically positioned on the world market. Consumer concerns over ethical and environmental issues associated with cocoa production are a potential threat to its position. These concerns have given rise to certification. Certification dictates the way cocoa can be produced and consequently affects producers’ incomes and environmental services. The expected profitability, yield, and environmental impact of Rainforest Alliance certified shade-grown cocoa production (RA-Cocoa) is estimated and compared to an extensive shaded production system (Ext-Cocoa) and an intensified full sun production system (High-Tech). Ext-Cocoa represents most cocoa production systems in Ghana, while High-Tech is promoted by the government as a tool for attaining its target output of 1 million tons. Under the baseline assumptions High-Tech was the most profitable; RA-Cocoa generated positive returns, while Ext-cocoa was a break even proposition. Simulation of different policy scenarios did not affect the rank order of the baseline outcome. The Ext-Cocoa yield was 28% of the RA-Cocoa yield, which was 78% of the High-Tech yield. The environmental services maintained at the plot level of RA-Cocoa production system are greater than those of the High-Tech production system. However, the 228,000 ha of additional forest land required to produce 1 million tons with RA-Cocoa questions which system would impact environmental services the least.
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spelling CGSpace520822024-08-27T10:36:29Z Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification? Gockowski, J. Afari-Sefa, Victor Sarpong, D.B. Osei-Asare, Y.B. Agyeman, N.F. climate agriculture cocoa beans certification intensification ecosystem services cocoa (plant) Ghana, as the second largest global producer of cocoa, is strategically positioned on the world market. Consumer concerns over ethical and environmental issues associated with cocoa production are a potential threat to its position. These concerns have given rise to certification. Certification dictates the way cocoa can be produced and consequently affects producers’ incomes and environmental services. The expected profitability, yield, and environmental impact of Rainforest Alliance certified shade-grown cocoa production (RA-Cocoa) is estimated and compared to an extensive shaded production system (Ext-Cocoa) and an intensified full sun production system (High-Tech). Ext-Cocoa represents most cocoa production systems in Ghana, while High-Tech is promoted by the government as a tool for attaining its target output of 1 million tons. Under the baseline assumptions High-Tech was the most profitable; RA-Cocoa generated positive returns, while Ext-cocoa was a break even proposition. Simulation of different policy scenarios did not affect the rank order of the baseline outcome. The Ext-Cocoa yield was 28% of the RA-Cocoa yield, which was 78% of the High-Tech yield. The environmental services maintained at the plot level of RA-Cocoa production system are greater than those of the High-Tech production system. However, the 228,000 ha of additional forest land required to produce 1 million tons with RA-Cocoa questions which system would impact environmental services the least. 2013-11 2014-12-16T06:37:31Z 2014-12-16T06:37:31Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/52082 en Limited Access Informa UK Limited Gockowski, J., Afari-Sefa, V., Sarpong, D. B., Osei-Asare, Y. B., & Agyeman, N. F. (2013). Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification? In International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (Vol. 11, Issue 4, pp. 331–346). Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2013.772714
spellingShingle climate
agriculture
cocoa beans
certification
intensification
ecosystem services
cocoa (plant)
Gockowski, J.
Afari-Sefa, Victor
Sarpong, D.B.
Osei-Asare, Y.B.
Agyeman, N.F.
Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title_full Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title_fullStr Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title_full_unstemmed Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title_short Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification?
title_sort improving the productivity and income of ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services what role for certification
topic climate
agriculture
cocoa beans
certification
intensification
ecosystem services
cocoa (plant)
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/52082
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