A gender differential analysis of determinants of pesticide application in cocoa system farming of Ghana

Abstract

Achieving inclusivity requires a critical focus on gender responsiveness and holistic growth in the cocoa industry. Conducting a gender-differentiated analysis is essential in determining men and women cocoa farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices and aspirations, therefore, it is crucial to develop policies that are sensitive to gender considerations. The study presents useful information on this subject from Ghana for stakeholders in the cocoa sector. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. A total of 182 male and 182 female farmers from 10 towns were interviewed in 2022. The binary and ordered logit models were applied. Women cocoa farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices and aspirations were significantly influenced by age, farming experience, premium access, extension contacts as well as education while the knowledge, attitudes, practices and aspirations of male cocoa farmers were influenced by membership in cooperatives, participation in training programmes and years of farming. The main conclusion of the paper is that the cooperative system among cocoa farmers should be enhanced to become an avenue for training farmers to increase their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and aspirations. Extension contact needs to be increased to develop farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and aspirational capacity on pesticide usage. The study’s implications underscore the importance of developing and implementing gender-responsive pesticide application policies in the cocoa sector. Policymakers need to consider the unique needs and challenges faced by both male and female cocoa farmers to ensure inclusivity and sustainable growth in the industry. By recognizing the significant influence of gender-specific factors on farmers’ experiences and outcomes, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in achieving inclusivity in agriculture.