RECENT RESEARCH

Vegetable diversification in cocoa-based farming systems in Ghana

As part of dynamic livelihood coping strategies, some farmers in Ghana’s cocoa belt have diversified away from traditional cocoa production to other high-value crops including vegetables, to the extent of diversifying within vegetables. This study assessed the extent of diversification of vegetables among farmers in Ghana’s cocoa belt and determined the factors that explain the variability in the diversification indices. A small-sample-size formula (http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm) that was based on an estimated population of the sample was used to arrive at 621 farmer respondents from the Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana. A combination of proportional and random sampling was employed to select farmers for the interview.

Intercropping vegetables with cocoa trees. Credit: CGIAR Humidtropics

Djokoto JG, Afari-Sefa V, Addo-Quaye A. (2017). Vegetable diversification in cocoa-based farming systems in Ghana. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY. 6:6.