Youth Participation and Productivity in Cocoa Farming in the Western North Cocoa Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined youth participation and productivity in cocoa farming in the Western North Cocoa Region of Ghana using primary data from 958 respondents through the field assistance of Solidaridad West Africa. Systematic and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 588 youth (<35years) and 370 adults (>35years) from Sefwi Bekwai, Boako, Akontombra, Bodi and Asempaneye. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the distribution in the roles played by the youth in cocoa farming in the study area. The Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to rank cocoa farming labour services the youth viewed as profitable. A probit regression model was used to assess the factors that influence cocoa farm ownership by the youth in the study area. The STATA 14 software was used in running the various regressions. The Total Factor Productivity Index Program (TFPIP) was used to compute Törnqvist total factor productivity indices. The Törnqvist total factor productivity index was used to compare total factor productivity indices between youth and adult farmers. The computed TFP index was further used as a dependent variable in a Tobit regression model to analyse the determinants of productivity in cocoa farming in the study area. It was observed that although the youth are active participants in cocoa production, various socioeconomic, technical, and institutional factors constrain their productivity. The results showed that most of the youth in the region were engaged in cocoa farming as either family labourers (48.98%) or farm owners (34.52%). The rest were engaged as hired farm labourers (7.82%) or caretakers (8.67%). Results from the Kendall’s coefficient of concordance showed that hired farm labourers viewed harvesting of cocoa pods as the most profitable labour service whiles caretakers viewed farm management as the most profitable labour service in the region. Estimates from the probit regression model showed that access to land, access to credit, willingness of youth to farm cocoa, profitability of non-farm employment to cocoa farming, profitability of non-cocoa farming to cocoa farming, perception of cocoa farming as a future venture, sex and education significantly determined cocoa farm ownership by youth in the region. Also, a comparison of the total factor productivity indices showed that adult cocoa farmers were more productive than the young cocoa farmers. Furthermore, estimates from the Tobit regression model showed that FBO membership, the use of cocoa hybrid seeds and age of cocoa farm significantly influence productivity in cocoa farming in the region. The study recommends that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and other agriculture related NGO’s intensify collaborations to encourage youth in cocoa growing regions to consider cocoa farming as a sustainable employment venture. These institutions should also liaise with community opinion leaders to facilitate access to land for cocoa farming for the youth in the region. Also, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) should partner with microfinance institutions in the region to provide collateral-free and low interest loans for registered and profiled youth who are willing to farm cocoa. Finally, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and agricultural extension agents in the various districts should train farmers on good cocoa agronomic practices to help increase their productivity.