Drivers and constraints in adopting dynamic agroforestry among cocoa smallholders in Ghana

The ongoing deforestation in Ghana, partially driven by cocoa plantation expansion and other land use changes, adversely impacts biodiversity, soil erosion, and climate resilience. Dynamic agroforestry (DAF), characterized by the integration of shade trees alongside crops like cocoa trying to mimic the natural succession of a forest, represents a promising solution for transitioning towards a sustainable agroecological system. However, despite the potential of DAF to address these challenges, its adoption in Ghana remains limited, emphasizing the necessity to explore the underlying factors. This thesis enhances the understanding of the drivers, constraints as well as internal and external factors influencing smallholders' decision-making processes, subsequently driving DAF adoption. Utilising a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative surveys and semistructured interviews, with 237 and 22 DAF cocoa farmers, respectively, this thesis sheds light on these dynamics. Conducted at the intersection of the Ashanti, Western North, and Ahafo Region in Ghana, it benefits from insights through the long-term Sankofa project. Financial incentives, including free seedlings, diversification, labour support, and project-based monetary payments, emerged as primary drivers for DAF adoption. Despite the enthusiasm and trust of farmers in the Sankofa project and DAF, independent adoption remains scarce. This can partially be attributed to the identified constraints, such as land tenure challenges, access to seedlings, and financial consideration, outweighing the perceived benefits and drivers of DAF, without considering project support. Interpreting the findings requires consideration of the study's limitations, encompassing spatial constraints, non-random sampling, social desirability bias, language and cultural obstacles, and the early stage of development of DAF cocoa plots. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the complex nature of DAF adoption and identifies the key drivers and constraints associated with internal and external factors. This provides a foundation for future research to delve deeper into the intricate decision-making processes of smallholders within the local context, subsequently driving DAF adoption. This, in turn, can improve the design of effective interventions, ultimately contributing to the development of more sustainable and resilient food systems.