A Probit Analysis of the Determinants of Fertilizer Adoption by Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

Cocoa remains an important cash crop in Ghana and plays a major role in the country’s socio-economic development. The crop is the mainstay of many smallholder households and this has led to several efforts to enhance its production. The introduction of partial liberalisation has encouraged private sector activity in the Ghanaian cocoa sector, including the privatisation of input supply. A key strategy aimed at improving cocoa production is the adoption of inorganic fertilizer. The current study sought to determine the factors influencing farmers’ decision to adopt fertilizer in cocoa production, using cross-sectional data from 80 randomly selected farmers in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District of Ghana. The study revealed that income from cocoa production increases the probability of fertilizer adoption while farm size and the age of the household head decrease the probability of adoption. Based on the findings, it is recommended that fertilizer for cocoa production should be subsidised by the government to promote adoption. In addition, extension service delivery must be enhanced to ensure that farmers get information on improved production practices.