Climate-Smart Cocoa Agroforestry Research in Ghana

project summary

The cocoa industry is one of the main pillars of the economies of several countries providing livelihoods for over 50 million people. Climate change is currently the most important threat to cocoa production in Ghana. The result has been strong drying trends in the forested region of the country where cocoa is widely grown. The impact includes mortality of seedlings and matured trees, low yield, wildfires and short duration of harvest. Cocoa growth, development and yield largely depend on temperature and rainfall and different varieties respond differently to these environmental factors. As a result, many farmer livelihoods are at risk and there is the need to reverse this trend. Ghana National Climate Change Policy (2013) and COCOBOD seek to achieve climate-resilient cocoa sector but development of specific strategies for climate-resilient cocoa agroforestry remains inadequate. This study will assess the climate-smartness of existing cocoa varieties, organic and inorganic fertilizers and shade trees and farmers’ perspectives on social resilient cocoa agroforestry to enhance sustainable yield, income and livelihoods of famers and improve climate change mitigation and adaptation in cocoa landscapes in Ghana. Cocoa knowledge and Information System will also be established to enhance farmers’ access to climate-smart cocoa information. The project will use on-farm and tree level studies in addition to participatory appraisal of farmers’ perspectives for data collection. The research will ensure the sustenance of farmers’ livelihoods and income (SDG 1&8- Good jobs and economic growth), timely climate adaption and mitigation (SDG 13), and create partnerships between public and private as well as between Ghana and Denmark. It will be implemented by a consortium from KNUST, Ghana and Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen, Denmark in collaboration with Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and small-holder cocoa farmers.