Cocoa Farming: IMANI report pegs average productivity of farmers at 457 kg per hectare

The average productivity of a cocoa farmer in the country per a recent report by IMANI Ghana, is estimated at 457 kg per hectare of cocoa output with a median of 395 kg per hectare and a range of 20-1333 kg per hectare.

The report titled “Profitability and Environmental Sustainability of Cocoa Farming Models in Ghana”, in a regional productivity analysis of cocoa farmers indicates that cocoa farmers in the Brong-Ahafo region had the highest average yield of 628 kg per hectare, followed by the Western Region at 450 kg per hectare and the Ashanti Region at 360 kg per hectare.

A concern expressed by IMANI Ghana in the report is the fact that most (61%) of cocoa farmers in the country’s three top-most cocoa-producing regions have meagre yields averaging 262 kg per hectare (below 500 kg/ha).

Adding that, 33% of cocoa farmers have yields in the band of 500-999 kg per hectare with only 5% of farmers operating at high productivity levels and producing yields above 1,000kg per hectare.

The report by IMANI Ghana assesses the profitability of the different cocoa production models in Ghana, including the drivers of profitability and environmental sustainability.

With the benefit of a comprehensive survey, the report highlights the dynamics involved in implementing three common cocoa farming models in Ghana – full sun, shaded, and high tech – the comparative profitability indices of these models, and how to make cocoa a profitable business in Ghana.

Several trade-offs exist between the three production systems: yield, extra food products, input use, labour cost, and environmental effect.

These trade-offs drive the farmer’s choice of production model.

The report intends to contribute to improving the existing knowledge and information on how best to ensure sustained profitability of the cocoa industry in Ghana.

Source:norvanreports