The Cocoa Certification Program and Its Effect on Sustainable Cocoa Production in Ghana: A Study in Upper Denkyira West District

Abstract

The impact of voluntary standards and certification schemes on the sustainability of cocoa production of Ghana was studied in the Upper Denkyira West District (UDW) of Ghana. Three schemes including UTZ Certified, Rainforest Alliance (RA) Certified and Conventional systems of production was used for the study. Soil chemical analyses (pH, Carbon, Organic matter, Available P and Exchangeable K) were carried out in 15 farms under each of the production system. The percent shade trees cover and economic indicators (B/C Ratio, NPV and IRR) per acre size cocoa farm were determined.

Keywords: Cocoa, certification systems, UTZ certified, Rainforest Alliance certified, conventional farms