THE DISSEMINATION AND ADOPTION OF COCOA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN GHANA

ABSTRACT The study examined the dissemination and adoption of cocoa production technologies in Ghana The aim was to improve cocoa extension and adoption of technologies to ensure higher yield. The study Identified twenty-five technologies and examined the communication factors that influenced the adoption of the technologies. characteristics and farm related factors were also studied. In addition. the study examined the relationships between the level of adoption of the technologies and background characteristics of farmers as well as the farm related factors. The study also identified constraints and best predictor variables of adoption The results of the stud)' revealed that farmers combined both traditional and science-based technologies in their farming systems. The unified extension system under the Mirustry of Food and Agriculture functioned at a lower intensity. as perceived by cocoa farmers. compared with extension provided by the staff of Ghana Cocoa Board. Members of staff of Ghana Cocoa Board remained the major extension providers to cocoa farmers Most farmers sought information on production-oriented technologies and paid little or no attention to post-harvest technologies. Most farmers preferred the production technology approach and the group method of extension On the whole, simple, 10\' cost and locally readily available technologies received higher rate of adoption., unlike expensive, foreign, and complex technologies The over-all level of adoption of technologies was moderate. Farmers 10 Brong Ahafo Region had the highest level of adoption of technologies. Adoption levels differed significantly among districts and oyer time. Males dominated cocoa farmers in the study Most farmers were aged or ageing. educated. experienced. and had five household members Most farmers could not save from the sales of then produce Sources of labor included family. hired. communal. and caretakers.