25/01/2021
Cocoa farming is the backbone of Ghana’s economy. 800,000 small scale cocoa farmers make up 60% of the country’s agricultural base. However, despite their importance to Ghana’s development, many cocoa farming families live in poverty.
Cocoa farmers earn approximately an annual net income of USD $983.12-$2,627.81 and accounts for two thirds of cocoa farmers’ household income.
Several factors affect cocoa farmers’ capacity to earn high incomes. The majority of Ghana’s cocoa farmers are self-employed and operate small-scale farms of 2 to 5 hectares. Given their small farm size, yields are often low at an average of 0.42 tones per hectare. Moreover, farmers struggle to access extension services which help to enhance farming techniques and boost yields. Low yields reduce the amount of income generated by farmers and prevent them from accruing savings.
We calling for more investors to invest more in the cocoa sector. Ghana must rise to become the leading producers of cocoa.
