ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS OF RURAL COCOA FARMERS IN THE ATWIMA MPONUA DISTRICT OF GHANA

ABSTRACT Livelihoods are the ways in which people satisfy their needs, or gain a living. In Ghana, cocoa production supports the livelihoods of more than 800,000 smallholder households and many others who depend on it for a significant share of their income. The primary objective of the study was to assess the sustainable livelihoods of rural cocoa farmers in the Atwima Mponua district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Mixed method approach was used and one hundred and fifty (150) cocoa farmers were sampled in three communities in the district. The results revealed that cocoa farmers perceived change in climate as reduced rainfall, increased temperature, change in rainfall patterns and weather extremes. The study revealed that cocoa output (kg) and yield (kg/acre) had increased over the 5 seasons. Analysis showed that climatic variables (rainfall and temperature) have had no influence on cocoa production and yield over the 5 seasons. Socioeconomic factors (such as experience, labour, land size, etc) influenced cocoa output (kg) and yield (kg/acre). Socioeconomic factors (such as sex, age, household head, etc) influenced diversification from crop farming by cocoa farmers. Cocoa farmers cultivated other crops alongside cocoa. Cocoa farmers get income from farm, off farm and non-farm activities and remittances received. Income was unequally distributed among cocoa farmers in the district. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should help subsidize inputs prices and increase price of cocoa to enhance productivity, livelihoods of cocoa farmers and development of the country.