FARMERS' ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF HYBRID COCOA SEEDLINGS FOR COCOA REHABILITATION: EMPIRICAL RESULTS FROM AMENFI CENTRAL DISTRICT, GHANA

The introduction of hybrid seedlings of cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was intended to replace old and diseased trees which were less productive.We conducted a study to investigate the accessibility and use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (Series II, the Modified Series II, Inter Amazon, Trinitario, Clones, Criollo and Nacional) for the cocoa rehabilitation exercise.Working with 385 cocoa farmers selected from the Amenfi Central District using the multi-stage sampling technique, we analyzed the data with statistical tools such as the mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, multiple linear regression and chi-square test of independence.Based on the general perception of the cocoa farmers (PI=3.71),we found that they had positive perceptions of the improved hybrid cocoa seedlings.Cocoa farmers' access to all the hybrid cocoa seedlings is significantly associated with their use (P<0.05).We also found that cocoa farmers who were highly experienced and had small farm sizes had more access to and used hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05).While, access to labour and ownership of lands had influence on access to hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05),high yields and membership of cooperatives had influence on the use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05).The lack of access to credit is indicated by farmers as their most severe challenge in accessing and using hybrid seedlings.The outcome of the study suggests that the cost of the hybrid seedlings must be subsidized and the distribution of the seedlings must be done through the farmer cooperatives to enhance accessibility and use.