Beyond certification: Investigating the nexus between compliance with sustainable agriculture standard and livelihood assets of certified smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana

Abstract

Studies have shown that farmers appear to deviate from set certification standards after they have passed audits and received their certificate. This usually makes them vulnerable and affects their livelihood assets. Therefore, this study set out to investigate the nexus between certified smallholder cocoa farmers’ continual compliance with sustainable agriculture standard (SAS) and their livelihood assets. The research was conducted in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality of Ghana. Data were collected from a survey of 400 cocoa farmers. Ordered logistic regression modelling, Chi-square test, frequencies, means, standard deviations, and percentages were used to analyze data. The findings show that 43.5% of the certified cocoa farmers complied moderately with SAS. Gender, farm size, land ownership, access to credit, engaging in income-generating activities outside of farming, assistance provided by License Buying Companies and extension contact were the determinants of farmers’ level of compliance with SAS. The study revealed a statistically significant association between farmer compliance and livelihood assets. Efforts to increase access to credit for cocoa farmers must be accompanied by efforts to promote and educate farmers on sustainable farming practices.

Keywords:

• certified cocoa farmers
• compliance
• non-compliance
• rainforest alliance
• standards

Public interest statement

This study explores how cocoa farmers’ adherence to sustainability standards changes after certification and its impact on their well-being. Conducted in Ghana’s Sefwi Wiawso Municipality, researchers surveyed 400 certified cocoa farmers. Results showed that 43.5% moderately complied with sustainability standards. Factors like gender, farm size, land ownership, access to credit, non-farm income activities, and external support influenced compliance levels. Interestingly, complying with sustainability standards positively affected farmers’ overall livelihood assets. The study suggests that increasing credit access for cocoa farmers should go hand-in-hand with promoting sustainable farming education. This approach aims to ensure both economic stability and environmentally-friendly practices. The findings highlight the need to support farmers in maintaining sustainability even after certification.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Rainforest Alliance is a certification company established in 1986 to reduce commercial activities deteriorating the Amazon rainforest. RA began certifying farmlands in 1992 and is currently being utilised by almost two million farmers and thousands of industries in helping develop a world that can be sustained by protecting the environment and advancing the livelihoods of farmers. The RA’s standards are centred on; climate, livelihood, human rights and forests (https://www.betterworldproducts.org/rainforest-alliance-certification/).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Fred Ankuyi

Fred Ankuyi holds an MPhil. degree in Agricultural Extension and Development Communication from KNUST, Ghana.

Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum

Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum is a lecturer at KNUST, Ghana. His key areas of interest are Development Communication and Media Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Gender, Extension Education and Rural Development.

Daniel Ankrah

Daniel Adu Ankrah is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana. His research interest includes Agri-food Systems, Agricultural Education and Extension, Gender, Climate Change and Food Security.

Akua Yeboah Oduro-Owusu

Akua Yeboah Oduro-Owusu is an MPhil student in Agricultural Extension and Development Communication from KNUST, Ghana.

John-Eudes Andivi Bakang

John-Eudes Andivi Bakang is an Associate Professor at KNUST, Ghana. He has over 25 years of teaching experience in Agricultural Extension.

David Boansi

David Boansi is a lecturer at KNUST, Ghana. His key areas of interest are Agricultural Economics, International Economics, Agricultural Policy, International Trade and Climate Change.

Solomon Asirifi

Solomon Asirifi is an MPhil student in Agricultural Extension and Development Communication at KNUST, Ghana.