Evaluation of fertilizer application on some peasant cocoa farms in Ghana

Appiah, M. R.; Ofori‐Frimpong, K.; Afrifa, AA

doi:10.4314/gjas.v33i2.1869

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Fertilizer trials have been carried out in all cocoa producing countries. They have shown that good correlations exist between cocoa yields and soil nutrients levels, thus confi rming that the method is well adapted for cacao growing and production improvement (Appiah et al 2000 ;Wessel 1971 ;Ahenkorah et al 1987 ;Bénac and Dejardin 1970 ;Morais 1998 ;Ojeniyi et al 1982 ;Paviot 1977 ;Santana et al 1971 ;Souza Júnior et al 1999b ;Tossah et al 2006 ;Wyrley-Birch 1987 ).…”

Section: First Research Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The variability of responses to a single fertilizer formula was again demonstrated by Appiah et al ( 2000 ) in 20 farmers' fi elds in the Eastern Region of Ghana comparing unfertilized plots with cocoa plots receiving P and K (such as triple super phosphate and potassium chloride) during. In 65 % of the farms, cocoa yields were increased thanks to fertilization; but in 33 %, the increase in yield was not significant and in 2 % there was no increase, even though the same farming practices and pest and disease controls were used.…”

Section: Limitation Of Using a Single Fertilizer Formulamentioning

confidence: 98%

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Cacao Nutrition and Fertilization

Snoeck

Koko

Joffre³

et al. 2016

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews

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Cocoa is globally the third agricultural commodity traded in terms of value. The cocoa world production is relatively stable since 2010, amounting to around 4.5 million tonnes. Eight countries account for 90 % of the cocoa production, of which four West African countries. Under traditional cultivation practices, cocoa yields are poor with an average of ten fruits per cacao ( Theobroma cacao L.), even though it has a potential to yield more than 100 fruits. As for most tree crops, the yields are depending on many factors, of which the more important are planting material, climate, cultural practices, and soil. Cacao is cultivated on many types of soil, and in various conditions, from agroforestry systems to full sun. Soil degradation and low soil fertility are among the main causes of low cocoa productivity. However, despite this inherent low fertility, most of the cocoa farmers do not use fertilizer because they are not well informed of the agricultural and fertilizers issues.Here we fi rst review why fertilizers are used and how to optimize their effects, particularly farming practices and soil fertility management in full sun or shaded plantations. Secondly, we describe soil diagnosis and the foliar diagnosis, the two complementary approaches that were developed to assess the nutritional needs of cacao. The soil diagnosis provides a means to improve soil nutrient availabilities, while foliar diagnosis provides information on the cacao health. Third, we review the methods used to design fertilizer formulae and doses, and how they are calculated. Fertilizer inputs and mode of application are determined from the local conditions and farming practices. Finally, we review the effects of nutrients on the characteristics of the cocoa tree and cacao product. Finally, some current issues are discussed, such as the use of advising a single formula for a whole region or country and how to develop adoption of fertilizer by cocoa farmers.

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Section: First Research Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Limitation Of Using a Single Fertilizer Formulamentioning

confidence: 98%

Cacao Nutrition and Fertilization

Snoeck

Koko

Joffre³

et al. 2016

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews

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“…Fertilizer and pesticide use was significant at 1% and conformed to priori expectation, indicating that adequate and timely application will increase the yield of cocoa farms. According to Appiah et al [21], the intense cultivation of cocoa on a piece of land reduces soil fertility due to soil nutrient depletion. Fertilizer application can replenish the depleted soil nutrients and increase productivity.…”

Section: Factors Affecting Cocoa Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Impact of Rural Finance on Cocoa Farmers Productivity: A Case Study of Bodi District in Ghana

Attipoe

Cao

Opoku-Kwanowaa

2020

AJAAR

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Background: Agricultural finance from rural and community banks play a major role in increasing both yield and income of rural farmers in agricultural-dependent economies. These finances are needed for purchasing raw materials, paying labor fees and buying farming equipment, etc. However, substantial evidence about their roles in improving farm productivity is lacking, especially in the cocoa sector in Ghana, where rural and community banks are the forerunners in advancing credit to cocoa farmers in Ghana’s deprived rural cocoa-growing communities. This research, therefore, seeks to determine the impact of rural and community banks’ credit on cocoa farmers' productivity in the Bodi District of Ghana. Methodology: Using random sampling method, a cross-sectional data of 350 cocoa farmers from 5 operational areas (Afere, Bodi, Amoaya, Kama and Suino) located in Bodi District in the Western region. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Statistical software (SPSS v20 and STATA v14) were used to analyze quantitative data on cocoa productivity. Results: The results revealed that cocoa farmers with access to credit experienced significant yield increase (p<0.05) with a mean of 359.71 kgha-1 as compared to 235.30 kgha-1 for non-credit takers. Further, only 34.3% of farmers accessed credit for farming. With Pseudo R2 value of 0.78, farm tenure system, fertilizer use, access to credit and access to extension services significantly influenced cocoa yield, while the age of cocoa farmer, age of farm trees and vulnerability of farm to natural disaster negatively affected cocoa yield. Tukey HSD results (p<0.00) indicate that rural banks credit allocations to non-agricultural activities such as trade and transport, and social loans had the highest percentage means which suggests that agriculture is treated less favorable in rural banks' credit portfolio. These findings give credence to the assertion that rural banks are deviating from their core mandate of supporting agriculture in Ghana. Conclusion: This study reaffirms the supporting roles played by rural and community banks in increasing cocoa yield in Ghana. However, this research recommends that, the Bank of Ghana should closely monitor the activities of these unit banks to reduce the instances of diverting all their funds to non-agricultural related activities.

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“…2, No. 4;2013 if the cocoa farmer applied fertilizer to his/her farm, and otherwise takes the value 0 (+): In Ghana, prolonged cultivation of cocoa on a piece of land has been found to result in soil fertility decline due to soil nutrient mining (Appiah, Ofori-Frimpong, & Afrifa, 2000). Thus, applying fertilizer to such soils can replenish the depleted soil nutrients and hence, increase cocoa output and yield.…”

Section: X4 = Education Level Of Cocoa Farmer Was Categorized Into LImentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of Yield Gap and Some Factors of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Yields in Ghana

Aneani¹,

Ofori‐Frimpong²

2013

SAR

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Although cocoa productivity has recently been increasing in Ghana, it is still low compared with that of other countries such as Cote d'Ivoire and Malaysia. This situation has been attributed to the low adoption of cocoa production technologies. The study was aimed at analysing the yield gap as well as some cocoa yield factors. Cross-sectional socio-economic survey was conducted in six (6) cocoa growing districts: Nkawie, Goaso, Enchi, Oda, Twifo Praso/Assin Fosu and Hohoe. A structured questionnaire was employed in the collection of data from 300 respondents who were randomly chosen with multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The yield gaps and their proportion to yield potentials were estimated using data from the survey and on-station trials. The findings indicated an experimental yield gap of 1 553.4 kg ha -1 , accounting for 82.1% of the experimental yield potential whereas farmer-based yield gap was 1 537.2 kg ha -1 , also accounting for 82.0% of the farmer (survey) yield potential. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis indicated that frequency of spraying fungicides against black pod disease, spraying insecticides against capsids, weeding of cocoa farms, cocoa variety planted by farmer, area of cocoa farm and total cocoa production variables had a significant impact on cocoa yield. It is recommended that the Government should encourage cocoa farmers, through pragmatic measures, to adopt improved technologies for enhancing productivity instead of focusing on excessive land expansion which eventually leads to low productivity.

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Evaluation of fertilizer application on some peasant cocoa farms in Ghana

Cited by 28 publications

References 0 publications

Cacao Nutrition and Fertilization

Cacao Nutrition and Fertilization

Evaluating the Impact of Rural Finance on Cocoa Farmers Productivity: A Case Study of Bodi District in Ghana

An Analysis of Yield Gap and Some Factors of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Yields in Ghana

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