Implementation evaluation of cocoa hand pollination program in Ghana
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Apr 29, 2024
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The study examines the Cocoa Hand Pollination Program (CHPP) and its potential to revolutionize cocoa farming in Ghana's cocoa industry. The study employed an exploratory research design, collecting primary data through structured questionnaires from 367 cocoa farmers, 159 pollinators, and 30 extension staff. Data were analyzed descriptively. The study revealed that cocoa farmers have a relatively low level of knowledge about CHPP's objectives but perceive these goals as highly important. Farmers have successfully increased cocoa yield per hectare but face challenges in boosting overall cocoa production. Farmers exhibit a good understanding of CHPP activities and consider them crucial for program success. Pollinators have successfully enhanced natural pollination but are less positive about their contributions to socioeconomic livelihood improvement and entrepreneurship skills. Extension staff perceive the program as successful in helping farmers increase yield per hectare. However, the goals of integrating hand pollination into routine GAP activities have faced challenges. The efforts and goals of CHPP are generally valued by extension administrators who are committed to the program. Organizational and community characteristics generally favoured the program, but there were inconsistencies in the timely delivery of essential tools. This study offers valuable insights into the program's challenges and opportunities, providing essential information for policymakers and researchers working to improve cocoa production, uplift farmer livelihoods, and address similar agricultural contexts. Addressing challenges, enhancing knowledge sharing, and optimizing program elements can ensure cocoa farming's long-term sustainability and success, benefiting local farmers and the cocoa industry as a whole
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Asirifi, S., Amankwah, K., Ankuyi, F., Tham-Agyekum, E., Akowuah, A., Oduro-Owusu, A., & Amoako, P. (2024). Implementation evaluation of cocoa hand pollination program in Ghana. Pelita Perkebunan (a Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal), 40(1), 76-90. https://doi.org/10.22302/iccri.jur.pelitaperkebunan.v40i1.588
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References
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Rogers, P., & Woolcock, M. (2023). Process and Implementation Evaluations: A Primer. CID Faculty Working Paper Series. https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37376251
Sánchez-Estrada, A., & Cuevas, J. (2020). Profitability of artificial pollination in ‘Manzanillo’ olive orchards. Agronomy, 10(5), 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050652
Simtowe, F., Asfaw, S., & Abate, T. (2016). Determinants of agricultural technology adoption under partial population awareness: the case of pigeonpea in Malawi. Agricultural and Food Economics, 4(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-016-0051-z
Toledo-Hernández, M., Tscharntke, T., Tjoa, A., Anshary, A., Cyio, B., & Wanger, T. C. (2020). Hand pollination, not pesticides or fertilizers, increases cocoa yields and farmer income. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 304, 107160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107160
Wongnaa, C. A., Apike, I. A., Babu, S., Awunyo-Vitor, D., & Kyei, A. B. (2021). The impact of adoption of artificial pollination technology in cocoa production: Evidence from Ghana. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 6, 100208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100208
Akinnagbe, O. M. (2015). Evaluation of constraints to implementation and adoption of cocoa resuscitation programmes in Southwest Nigeria. Applied Tropical Agriculture, 20(1), 42-47.
Akrofi-Atitianti, F., Ifejika Speranza, C., Bockel, L., & Asare, R. (2018). Assessing climate-smart agriculture and its determinants of practice in Ghana: A case of the cocoa production system. Land, 7(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/land7010030
Aneani, F., & Ofori-Frimpong, K. (2013). An analysis of yield gap and some factors of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) yields in Ghana. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 2(526-2016-37857). https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.230548
Ankuyi, F., Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Ankrah, D., Oduro-Owusu, A. Y., Bakang, J-E. A., Boansi D., & Asirifi, S. (2023). Beyond certification: Investigating the nexus between compliance with sustainable agriculture standards and livelihood assets of certified smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9:1, 2256556. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2256556
Boyabatlı, O., Nasiry, J., & Zhou, Y. (2019). Crop planning in sustainable agriculture: Dynamic farmland allocation in the presence of crop rotation benefits. Management Science, 65(5), 2060-2076.
Bronte-Tinkew, J., Horowitz, A., Redd, Z., Moore, K. A., & Valladares, S. (2007). A Glossary of Research Terms for Out-of-School Time Program Practitioners. Research-to-Results Fact Sheet. Publication# 2007-02. Child Trends.
Claus, G., Vanhove, W., Van Damme, P., & Smagghe, G. (2018). Challenges in cocoa pollination: The case of Côte d’Ivoire. Pollination in plants, 39.
Cummings, R. A. R. (1999). An organizational framework of factors affecting family-based program implementation: exploration of community-level factors associated with the success of the Begin Education Early program (Doctoral dissertation, Auburn University).
Danso-Abbeam, G., Ehiakpor, D. S., & Aidoo, R. (2018). Agricultural extension and its effects on farm productivity and income: insight from Northern Ghana. Agriculture & Food Security, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0225-x
Forbes, S. J., & Northfield, T. D. (2017). Increased pollinator habitat enhances cacao fruit set and predator conservation. Ecological Applications, 27(3), 887-899. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1491
Forbes, S. J., Mustiga, G., Romero, A., Northfield, T. D., Lambert, S., & Motamayor, J. C. (2019). Supplemental and Synchronized Pollination May Increase Yield in Cacao. HortScience horts, 54(10), 1718-1727. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12852-18
Ghana Statistical Authority (2014). Ghana Living Standard Survey Round 6. Ghana: Ghana Statistical Services
Ghana Statistical Service (2018). Rebased 2013-2018 Annual Gross Domestic Product: April 2019 Edition. http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/storage/img/marqueeupdater/Annual20132018GDPApril%202019%20Edition.pdf
Grant, A., Treweek, S., Dreischulte, T., Foy, R., & Guthrie, B. (2013). Process evaluations for cluster-randomised trials of complex interventions: a proposed framework for design and reporting. Trials, 14, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-15
Gupta, A., Godara, R. K., Sharma, V. K., & Panda, A. K. (2017). Artificial pollination: a tool for improving fruiting traits in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Chemical Science Review and Letters, 6, 1312-1320.
Harachi, T. W., Abbott, R. D., Catalano, R. F., Haggerty, K. P., & Fleming, C. B. (1999). Opening the black box: using process evaluation measures to assess implementation and theory building. American journal of community psychology, 27(5), 711-731. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022194005511
Hughes Jr, R. (1994). A framework for developing family life education programs. Family relations, 74-80. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050652
Krishnan, P., & Patnam, M. (2014). Neighbours and extension agents in Ethiopia: Who matters more for technology adoption? American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 96(1), 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajae/aat017
Levis, L., Sukesi, K., Sugiyanto, S., & Yuliati, Y. (2017). Farmers' Behaviour Regarding Food Security by Practicing The ‘Salome ’ Farming System as Local Wisdom in West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 20(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.2276
Maffioli, A., Ubfal, D., Vazquez-Bare, G., & Cerdan-Infantes, P. (2013). Improving technology adoption in agriculture through extension services: evidence from Uruguay. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 5(1), 64-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2013.764917
Muliarta, I. N. (2016). The Evaluation of Implementation of the Integrated Farming System Program and the Reality of Increasing Farmers' Income in Bali. International research journal of engineering, IT & scientific research, 2(7), 84. https://doi.org/10.21744/irjeis.v2i7.148
Nyamekye, E. (2021). Cocoa farmers' knowledge and perception of hand pollination and its effect on their practices and yield. A case study of Tafo cocoa district, Eastern region-Ghana (Doctoral dissertation).
Rennekamp, R. A., & Arnold, M. E. (2009). What progress, program evaluation? Reflections on a quarter-century of extension evaluation practice. Journal of Extension, 47(3). http://www.joe.org/joe/2009june/comm1.php
Rogers, P., & Woolcock, M. (2023). Process and Implementation Evaluations: A Primer. CID Faculty Working Paper Series. https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37376251
Sánchez-Estrada, A., & Cuevas, J. (2020). Profitability of artificial pollination in ‘Manzanillo’ olive orchards. Agronomy, 10(5), 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050652
Simtowe, F., Asfaw, S., & Abate, T. (2016). Determinants of agricultural technology adoption under partial population awareness: the case of pigeonpea in Malawi. Agricultural and Food Economics, 4(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-016-0051-z
Toledo-Hernández, M., Tscharntke, T., Tjoa, A., Anshary, A., Cyio, B., & Wanger, T. C. (2020). Hand pollination, not pesticides or fertilizers, increases cocoa yields and farmer income. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 304, 107160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107160
Wongnaa, C. A., Apike, I. A., Babu, S., Awunyo-Vitor, D., & Kyei, A. B. (2021). The impact of adoption of artificial pollination technology in cocoa production: Evidence from Ghana. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 6, 100208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100208