The role of shade trees in influencing farmers’ adoption of cocoa agroforestry systems: Insight from semi-deciduous rain forest agroecological zone of Ghana

Abstract

Farmers growing desire for no shade cocoa system has reiterated the scepticism about the impact of research on farmers’ adoption of cocoa Agroforestry. In this study, we assess farmers’ perception about shade trees and how that influences their adoption of cocoa Agroforestry. Five cocoa growing communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana and 91 cocoa farmers were purposively sampled and interviewed. The result showed that the most desirable shade trees among the farmers were Spathodea campanulata, Terminalia superba, and Terminalia ivorensis while Alstonei boonei was the least desirable. About 87 % of farmers introduced shade trees at different stages of cocoa farm establishment while 13 % of farmers had existing trees at establishment. Farmers with less than 11 years farming experience and those with Senior High education kept the recommended number (15–18) of shade trees ha⁻¹. Most farmers related the importance of shade trees to the good growth of cocoa associated crops (37 %) and as source of fodder (31 %), while higher cocoa yield and low education on the importance of shade trees were major reasons farmers removed shade trees. In conclusion, collaboration between farmers and other stakeholders in the cocoa sector is essential in reversing the growing hunger for no shaded cocoa system. This collaboration must focus on educating farmers on the importance of shade trees, and by providing money and agro-inputs support to farmers as impetus for the adoption of cocoa Agroforestry in Ghana.