@article{Aneani:301221,
      recid = {301221},
      author = {Aneani, F.  and Adu-Acheampong, R.  and Sakyi-Dawson, O. },
      title = {Exploring Opportunities for Enhancing Innovation in  Agriculture: The Case of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)  Production in Ghana},
      journal = {Sustainable Agriculture Research},
      address = {2018},
      number = {526-2020-418},
      year = {2018},
      abstract = {An exploratory study was conducted to identify  opportunities to enhance innovation in the cocoa sector in  Ghana. The specific objectives were to identify the key  stakeholders in the cocoa industry, and elicit farmers and  other stakeholders‟ perceptions on cocoa production and  marketing practices, as well as the inherent constraints  and opportunities. The study involved literature review of  published information and the use of Participatory Rural  Appraisal (PRA) tools such as focus group discussion,  problem tree analysis, seasonal calendar, and ranking  techniques to elicit information from the respondents and  purchasing clerks in the Eastern and Western Regions of  Ghana. The problem tree analysis indicated that low cocoa  incomes were due to low cocoa yields which were in turn  caused by high incidence of pest and diseases such as  capsids/black pod/cocoa swollen shoot virus disease  (CSSVD), declining soil fertility and use of unapproved  planting materials. The seasonal calendar analysis  indicated that most cocoa farmers were financially  constrained, experience high labour availability and cost  from May to July during which farm activities are high.  Based on the study, researchers recommend that the Ghana  Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) intensifies its efforts in  implementing the opportunities such as crop/livelihood  diversification, provision of crop insurance against risk,  etc. identified to enhance farmers‟ welfare and the  development of the entire cocoa industry. Addressing these  constraints requires collaboration among the various  stakeholders in the sector, including the government,  research and extension as well as smallholder farmers. },
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/301221},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.301221},
}