Demographic Factors That Influence Youths Engagement in the Cocoa Production Related Activities as a Business Venture in the Asunafo North Municipal of Ghana

Abstract

Africa has solidified its position as the world’s top cocoa supplier during the past 10 years, with growers in the cocoa belt of West and Central Africa, accounting for almost two-thirds of worldwide production. Despite this, the participation of the youth in Ghana’s cocoa value chain activities could be more desirable. The study assessed the youth’s involvement in the cocoa production-related activities in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire for data collection from 200 youthful farmers was used. It was found that the youth view cocoa farming and its related activities as a profitable business and a source of income; they are willing to stay in the community and engage in the cocoa value chain. A chi-square analysis suggests that this perception has a significant relationship with the demographical features of age, level of education, and, marital status, having siblings engaged in some form of agricultural activities and parents involved in farming activities. More so, most of the youth are desirous of staying in the community and engaging in the cocoa production-related activities, which also has a relationship with age, level of education, marital status, and having siblings and parents involved in agricultural activities. Lastly, regarding the plans, most of them said that they will continue to be in cocoa value chain activities if conditions are better. The paper recommends that COCOBOD (Ghana Cocoa Board), together with the other related NGOs and Ministry of Food and Agriculture, must sensitise the youth on the importance of the agriculture sector in promoting the local economy and enhancing the standard of living of all those engaged in agricultural activities.

Keywords: Cocoa, Production, Value Chain, Youths, Ghana

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