Enhancing sustainable agriculture: exploring the impact of credit access on cocoa farming through adoption of artificial hand pollination technology

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41340%2F25%3A103727" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41340/25:103727 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05906-6" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05906-6</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05906-6" target="_blank" >10.1007/s10668-024-05906-6</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Enhancing sustainable agriculture: exploring the impact of credit access on cocoa farming through adoption of artificial hand pollination technology

Original language description

Artificial Hand Pollination (AHP) technology has demonstrated significant potential to enhance cocoa productivity and alleviate poverty among cocoa farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, a government-sponsored AHP program implemented from 2017 to 2021 led to notable yield increases; however, adoption levels among cocoa farmers remain suboptimal. High operational costs, coupled with financial constraints, are key barriers to AHP adoption. This study examines the impact of credit access on AHP adoption in Ghana's Western North Region. Data were collected from 399 cocoa farmers during the 2023 cocoa production season using a multi-stage sampling technique and a structured questionnaire. The analysis employed an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model to address selection bias and the endogeneity of credit access. The findings reveal that credit access significantly increases the likelihood of adopting AHP technology, highlighting its potential to improve cocoa productivity and farmers' incomes. A robustness check using the propensity score matching (PSM) approach yields consistent results, confirming the positive impact of credit access on AHP adoption. Additionally, several socioeconomic factors such as farmer age, education, farm size, household composition, membership in farmer-based organizations (FBOs), age of cocoa trees, resident status, distance to extension services, access to hired labor, and cocoa yield significantly influence AHP adoption. A Tobit regression model identifies education, household labor availability, farm size, FBO membership, access to market information, cocoa yield, and credit from microfinance institutions as key determinants of credit access. The study also highlights critical barriers, including bureaucratic loan application processes limiting access, while insufficient AHP awareness undermines adoption. Policy recommendations include simplifying lending processes, empowering FBOs, and raising awareness about AHP technology. These strategies aim to enhance adoption rates, improve cocoa yields, and strengthen rural livelihoods, providing a scalable framework for other cocoa-producing regions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40101 - Agriculture

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

ISSN

1387-585X

e-ISSN

1387-585X

Volume of the periodical

neuveden

Issue of the periodical within the volume

not identified

Country of publishing house

NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Number of pages

32

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001390922500001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85214404698