Abstract:
Climate change adaptation in Ghana has been of concern over the
years. This study examined how cocoa producer organisations contribute to
climate change adaptation in a Asunafo North Municipality, Ghana by
analyzing 405 responses gathered using questionnaires. The study identified
the standard strategies within the certification scheme that promote climate
change adaptation, assessed the effectiveness of the strategies for climate
change adaptation, determined the correlation between these strategies and the
adaptation of climate change and determined the challenges to climate change
adaptation by farmers. The study revealed that farmers enjoy trainings and
farm development from certified cocoa producer organisations to climate
change adaptation (x ̅ = 3.84, SD = 0.44). The cocoa producer organisation
and members’ standards had a positive statistical relationship with farmers’
adaptations to climate change (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), significantly predicting
climate change adaptation (β = .728, p < .001). In all, the study found that
cocoa producer organisation certification accounted for 54% variance in
explaining climate change adaptation measures (F = 73.53, p < .001). The
study revealed expensive farm inputs, fertilizer/input politicization, cost of
hiring mechanized spraying machines, Illegal logging activities, Pest and
diseases control and lack of irrigation systems as challenges faced by farmers.
The study recommends that the non-certified farmers get certified to enhance
productivity as well as effectiveness.
