Paper short abstract:

This paper examined spatial and gender disparities in organic and conventional cocoa farm productivity for selected soil types to promote social justice and equitable resource distribution and development support within moribund cocoa farming areas in Ghana

Paper long abstract:

It is imperative to understand spatial and gender dynamics of farm productivity to dismantle historical inequities in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) agroforestry systems. Cocoa agroforestry systems (CAS) are essential for mitigating deforestation, soil degradation and adverse climate change that impact sustainable farming. However, a paucity of information about the spatial distribution of farms and their gender dynamics in organic and conventional CAS have historically hampered equitable access to development support for resource-deprived farmers in remote places. Therefore, the current study examines the spatial and gender dynamics of organic cocoa (OC) and conventional cocoa (CC) farm productivity to enhance equitable distribution of development support within CAS in Ghana. The study employs multi-stage stratified random sampling within three soil types in selected agroecological zones. For each soil type, 11 CC and 11 OC farms were randomly selected. The data collected encompassed cocoa farm sizes and polygons, cocoa yield and socioeconomic attributes of the farmers. The results revealed spatially dispersed polygons of the OC and CC farms. Characterizing the farmers revealed significant gender disparities, with notable male dominance in cocoa farm ownership. Despite gender disparities in farm ownership, female cocoa farmers outperform their male counterparts in cocoa productivity. These findings imply that gendered spatial equity in CAS development support can empower resource-deprived farmers to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDG) number 6 (sustainable agriculture) and 7 (gender equality). Promoting equity in CAS is socially just and environmentally prudent, as it aligns with agroecosystem services (SDG13&15) delivery and partnership support (SDG17) for the farmers.