Tradition meets innovation: preferences for climate strategies among cocoa farmers in Obuasi municipality, Ghana

Michael Boateng Antwi, Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum, Danley Colecraft Aidoo, Ololade Latifat Abdulrahman, Ebenezer Osei Jones

Abstract


The purpose of the study was to compare the traditional and modern adaptation strategies employed by cocoa farmers in response to climate variability in the Obuasi Municipality. A qualitative approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews using purposive sampling technique to select twenty (20) cocoa farmers and five (5) key informants. The findings revealed that farmers use a blend of traditional strategies such as shade management, crop diversification, and local weather indicators; and modern strategies, including pruning, artificial irrigation, and agrochemical applications. While modern methods were often seen as more effective, traditional methods remained widely preferred for their affordability, accessibility, and cultural embeddedness. Factors influencing the choice of strategies included gender, education, financial capacity, land ownership, and access to extension services. Notably, the study found that combining both traditional and modern methods provided the most promising adaptation pathway, especially when supported by training, government interventions, and community-based platforms. The study has implications for agricultural extension services, policymakers, and NGOs by demonstrating the need to promote inclusive, participatory, and locally adaptable interventions. Strengthening locally grounded yet scientifically informed adaptation systems can enhance cocoa sector resilience to climate change while safeguarding cultural knowledge and farmer agency.

 

Received: 27 August 2025

Accepted: 15 September 2025

Published: 07 October 2025


Keywords


Adaptation Strategies; Climate Change; Innovation; Preferences; Traditional Practices

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdulai, I. (2018). Productivity, water use and climate resilience of alternative cocoa cultivation systems [Doctoral dissertation]. Niedersächsische Staats-und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen.

Adu-Boahen, K. (2023). Smallholder Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change Resilience in the Bosome Freho District Assembly in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science, Technology and Development, 9(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.47881/394.967x

Afriyie-Kraft, L., Zabel, A., & Damnyag, L. (2020). Adaptation strategies of Ghanaian cocoa farmers under a changing climate. Forest Policy and Economics, 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102115

Alordiah, C. O., & Oji, J. (2024). Theoretical sampling strategies in qualitative interviews: Enhancing data richness and theoretical saturation. NIU Journal of Social Sciences, 10(2), 181–191.

Ameyaw, L. K., Ettl, G. J., Leissle, K., & Anim-Kwapong, G. J. (2018). Cocoa and climate change: Insights from smallholder cocoa producers in Ghana regarding challenges in implementing climate change mitigation strategies. Forests, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/f9120742

Amfo, B., & Ali, E. B. (2020). Climate change coping and adaptation strategies: How do cocoa farmers in Ghana diversify farm income? Forest Policy and Economics, 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102265

Ampadu-Daaduam, A. P., Armah, A. D., Opoku, P., Foli, G., & Gawu, S. K. Y. (2023). Drainage holding capacity and wetland classification of three basins at Obuasi in Ashanti Region, Ghana. In International Journal of Energy and Water Resources (Vol. 7, Issue 4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-023-00259-8

Anning, A. K., Ofori-Yeboah, A., Baffour-Ata, F., & Owusu, G. (2022). Climate change manifestations and adaptations in cocoa farms: Perspectives of smallholder farmers in the Adansi South District, Ghana. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 4, 100196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2022.100196

Antwi-Agyei, P., Atta-Aidoo, J., Asare-Nuamah, P., Stringer, L. C., & Antwi, K. (2023). Trade-offs, synergies and acceptability of climate smart agricultural practices by smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2193439

Antwi-Agyei, P., & Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H. (2021). Evidence of climate change coping and adaptation practices by smallholder farmers in northern ghana. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031308

Antwi-Agyei, P., Stringer, L. C., & Dougill, A. J. (2014). Livelihood adaptations to climate variability: Insights from farming households in Ghana. Regional Environmental Change, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-014-0597-9

Apraku, A., Morton, J. F., & Apraku Gyampoh, B. (2021). Climate change and small-scale agriculture in Africa: Does indigenous knowledge matter? Insights from Kenya and South Africa. Scientific African, 12, e00821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00821

Apuri, D. A., Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Ankuyi, F., Bakang, J.-E. A., & Ocansey, C. M. (2025). Connecting the Dots: How Communication Strategies Shape Climate Response Behaviors among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Bongo District, Ghana. Environmental Communication, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2025.2519046

Asante, F. A., & Amuakwa-Mensah, F. (2015). Climate change and variability in Ghana: Stocktaking. In Climate (Vol. 3, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.3390/cli3010078

Asare, A., Thodsen, H., Antwi, M., Opuni-Frimpong, E., & Sanful, P. O. (2021). Land Use and Land Cover changes in Lake Bosumtwi Watershed, Ghana (West Africa). Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2021.100536

Attiogbé, A. A. C., Nehren, U., Quansah, E., Bessah, E., Salack, S., Sogbedji, J. M., & Agodzo, S. K. (2024). Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of Drought and Adaptive Strategies in the Ghana–Togo Transboundary Cocoa Belt. Land, 13(11), 1737. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111737

Batung, E. S. (2021). Climate Change Vulnerability and Perceived Resilience Among Smallholder Farmers in the Upper West Region of Ghana [Master’s thesis]. The University of Western Ontario.

Bekuma, T., Mamo, G., & Regassa, A. (2023). Indigenous and improved adaptation technologies in response to climate change adaptation and barriers among smallholder farmers in the East Wollega Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. Research in Globalization, 6, 100110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2022.100110

Bruinsma, J. (2017). World agriculture: towards 2015/2030: an FAO study. Routledge.

Bunn, C., Läderach, P., Quaye, A., Muilerman, S., Noponen, M. R. A., & Lundy, M. (2019). Recommendation domains to scale out climate change adaptation in cocoa production in Ghana. Climate Services, 16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2019.100123

Carr, E. R., & Thompson, M. C. (2014). Gender and Climate Change Adaptation in Agrarian Settings: Current Thinking, New Directions, and Research Frontiers. Geography Compass, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12121

Cassell, C., & Bishop, V. (2019). Qualitative Data Analysis: Exploring Themes, Metaphors and Stories. European Management Review, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12176

Castleberry, A., & Nolen, A. (2018). Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy as it sounds? In Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning (Vol. 10, Issue 6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2018.03.019

Cédric, C. D., Delanot, T. A., Atangana Owona, J. M., Ndzie, S. O., Nfornkah, B. N., Enongene, K., Loh, E. C., Fobissie, E., Alemagi, D., Awazi, N. P., Mezafack, K. L., Nkontcheu, P. K., Djeukam Pougom, S. V., Fokou, K. T., Chiteh, K. C., Louis Paul Roger, K. B., & Fobissie, K. (2025). Determinants of Cocoa Productivity and Vulnerability to Climate Change in Central Cameroon: An In-Depth Analysis of Farmers’ Perspectives. Green and Low-Carbon Economy. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewGLCE52024143

Challinor, A. J., Ewert, F., Arnold, S., Simelton, E., & Fraser, E. (2009). Crops and climate change: Progress, trends, and challenges in simulating impacts and informing adaptation. Journal of Experimental Botany, 60(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erp062

Codjoe, F. N. Y., Ocansey, C. K., Boateng, D. O., & Ofori, J. (2013). Climate Change Awareness and Coping Strategies of Cocoa Farmers in Rural Ghana. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 3(11).

Danso-Abbeam, G., Dagunga, G., & Ehiakpor, D. S. (2019). Adoption of Zai technology for soil fertility management: evidence from Upper East region, Ghana. Journal of Economic Structures, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-019-0163-1

Denkyirah, E. K., Okoffo, E. D., Adu, D. T., & Bosompem, O. A. (2017). What are the drivers of cocoa farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies in Ghana? Cogent Food and Agriculture, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2017.1334296

Deressa, T. T., Hassan, R. M., & Ringler, C. (2011). Perception of and adaptation to climate change by farmers in the Nile basin of Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Science, 149(1). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859610000687

Deressa, T. T., Hassan, R. M., Ringler, C., Alemu, T., & Yesuf, M. (2009). Determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation methods to climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Global Environmental Change, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.01.002

Doss, C. R. (2018). Women and agricultural productivity: Reframing the Issues. Development Policy Review, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12243

Famakinwa, M., Adeloye, K. A., & Oni, O. O. (2023). Farmers’ adaptation strategies to mitigate climate impacts on cocoa production: experience from Osun State, Nigeria. Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.37908/mkutbd.1256780

Fosu-Mensah, B. Y., Vlek, P. L. G., & MacCarthy, D. S. (2012). Farmers’ perception and adaptation to climate change: A case study of Sekyedumase district in Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9339-7

Fuyane, N. (2021). Research Methodology Choice Dilemma: A Conceptual Note to Emerging Researchers. International Journal of Business & Management Studies, 2(2), 29–43.

Guest, G., Namey, E., & Chen, M. (2020). A simple method to assess and report thematic saturation in qualitative research. PLoS ONE, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232076

Guodaar, L., Bardsley, D. K., & Suh, J. (2021). Integrating local perceptions with scientific evidence to understand climate change variability in northern Ghana: A mixed-methods approach. Applied Geography, 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2021.102440

Jalloh, A., Nelson, G. C., Thomas, T., Zougmore, R., & Roy-Macauley, H. (2013). West African agriculture and climate change A comprehensive analysis. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896292048

Jiri, O., Mafongoya, P. L., Mubaya, C., & Mafongoya, O. (2016). Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review. Journal of Agricultural Science, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n5p156

Jost, C., Kyazze, F., Naab, J., Neelormi, S., Kinyangi, J., Zougmore, R., Aggarwal, P., Bhatta, G., Chaudhury, M., Tapio-Bistrom, M. L., Nelson, S., & Kristjanson, P. (2016). Understanding gender dimensions of agriculture and climate change in smallholder farming communities. Climate and Development, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2015.1050978

Kimengsi, J. N., & Tosam, J. N. (2013). Climate Variability and Cocoa Production in Meme Division of Cameroon: Agricultural Development Policy options. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 3(8). https://doi.org/10.15580/gjas.2013.3.022713505

Kissi, E. A., & Herzig, C. (2024). Labour relations and working conditions of workers on smallholder cocoa farms in Ghana. Agriculture and Human Values, 41(1), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-023-10470-2

Kubiciel-Lodzińska, S. (2021). Snowball Sampling vs. Respondent Driven Sampling in Regional Research. Comparing the use of the Methods to Study Migrants Working in Elderly Care. Studia Migracyjne – Przegląd Polonijny, 47(1 (179)). https://doi.org/10.4467/25444972smpp.21.007.13319

Kuhn, M., Tennhardt, L., & Lazzarini, G. A. (2023). Gender Inequality in the Cocoa Supply Chain: Evidence from Smallholder Production in Ecuador and Uganda. World Development Sustainability, 2, 100034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wds.2022.100034

Lowe, A., Norris, A. C., Farris, A. J., & Babbage, D. R. (2018). Quantifying Thematic Saturation in Qualitative Data Analysis. Field Methods, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X17749386

Mertz, O., Halsnæs, K., Olesen, J. E., & Rasmussen, K. (2009). Adaptation to climate change in developing countries. Environmental Management, 43(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9259-3

Mitin, A. (2009). Documentation of selected adaptation strategies to climate change in rice cultivation. East Asia Rice Working Group, 8.

Motulsky, S. L. (2021). Is Member Checking the Gold Standard of Quality in Qualitative Research? Qualitative Psychology, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000215

Mwinkom, F. X. K., Damnyag, L., Abugre, S., & Alhassan, S. I. (2021). Factors influencing climate change adaptation strategies in North-Western Ghana: evidence of farmers in the Black Volta Basin in Upper West region. SN Applied Sciences, 3(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04503-w

Nelson, W., & Agbey, S. N. D. (2005). Linkages between Poverty and Climate Change: adaptation for livelihood of the poor in Ghana.

Nind, M., Kilburn, D., & Luff, R. (2015). The teaching and learning of social research methods: developments in pedagogical knowledge. In International Journal of Social Research Methodology (Vol. 18, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2015.1062631

Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H., & Bezner-Kerr, R. (2015). The relative importance of climate change in the context of multiple stressors in semi-arid Ghana. Global Environmental Change, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.03.003

Nyimbili, F., & Nyimbili, L. (2024). Types of Purposive Sampling Techniques with Their Examples and Application in Qualitative Research Studies. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0419

Obaniyi, K., & Owolabi, A. (2019). Indigenous and Modern Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change among Cocoa Farmers in Southwest Nigeria. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria , 1–13.

Ollendorf, F. (2023). The Cocoa Sector in Ghana—a Frontier at its Limits? https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-43668-1_5

Orimogunje, A. O., Ogundeji, B. A., Ademola, T. I., Balogun, S. T., Awodumila, D. J., Olorunmota, R. T., & Oyeledun, K. O. (2020). Cocoa Farmers’ Coping Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation in Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports. https://doi.org/10.9734/jsrr/2020/v26i230223

Osman, N., Tennyson Afele, J., Nimo, E., Gorleku, D. O., Ofori, L. A., & Abunyewa, A. A. (2022). Assessing the Impact of Illegal Small-Scale Mining (Galamsey) on Cocoa Farming and Farmer Livelihood: A Case Study in the Amansie West District of Ghana. Pelita Perkebunan (a Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal), 38(1). https://doi.org/10.22302/iccri.jur.pelitaperkebunan.v38i1.496

Owusu, I. (2022). The impact of climate change on cocoa production and adaptation strategies adopted by cocoa farmers in Amansie West District, Ghana [Master’s thesis]. Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås.

Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

Partey, S. T., Dakorah, A. D., Zougmoré, R. B., Ouédraogo, M., Nyasimi, M., Nikoi, G. K., & Huyer, S. (2020). Gender and climate risk management: evidence of climate information use in Ghana. Climatic Change, 158(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2239-6

Pervin, N., & Mokhtar, M. (2022). The Interpretivist Research Paradigm: A Subjective Notion of a Social Context. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v11-i2/12938

Peterson, J. S. (2019). Presenting a Qualitative Study: A Reviewer’s Perspective. Gifted Child Quarterly, 63(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986219844789

Santos, K. da S., Ribeiro, M. C., de Queiroga, D. E. U., da Silva, I. A. P., & Ferreira, S. M. S. (2020). The use of multiple triangulations as a validation strategy in a qualitative study. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020252.12302018

Schroth, G., Läderach, P., Martinez-Valle, A. I., Bunn, C., & Jassogne, L. (2016). Vulnerability to climate change of cocoa in West Africa: Patterns, opportunities and limits to adaptation. Science of the Total Environment, 556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.024

Srivastava, S., Bose, S., Parthasarathy, D., & Mehta, L. (2022). Climate Justice for Whom? Understanding the Vernaculars of Climate Action and Justice in Marginal Environments of India. IDS Bulletin, 53(4). https://doi.org/10.19088/1968-2022.141

Tavory, I. (2020). Interviews and Inference: Making Sense of Interview Data in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Sociology, 43(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-020-09464-x

Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Kyei, F., Bakang, J.-E. A., Tuffour, H. O., Mensah, W., & Assan, E. (2024). Finding the nexus between associative mechanisms and cocoa Farmer resilience against natural hazards in Ghana. Sustainable Environment, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2024.2321686

Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Ntem, S., Sarbah, E., Anno-Baah, K., Asiedu, P., Bakang, J.-E. A., & Jones, E. O. (2023). Resilience against climate variability: The application of nature based solutions by cocoa farmers in Ghana. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 20, 100310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2023.100310

Twyman, J., Green, M., Bernier, Q., Kristjanson, P., Russo, S., Tall, A., Ampaire, E., Nyasimi, M., Mango, J., McKune, S., Mwongera, C., & Ndourba, Y. (2014). Adaptation actions in Africa: evidence that gender matters. CGIAR Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Programme. https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/af94f721-442e-42c3-9378-da63e00f67fa/content

Utibe Monday, T. (2020). Impacts of Interview as Research Instrument of Data Collection in Social Sciences. Journal of Digital Art & Humanities, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.33847/2712-8148.1.1_2

van Leeuwen, J. P., Rijken, D., Bloothoofd, I., & Cobussen, E. (2020). Finding New Perspectives through Theme Investigation. Design Journal, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/14606925.2020.1744258

van Teijlingen, E., & Hundley, V. (2002). The importance of pilot studies. In Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987) (Vol. 16, Issue 40). https://doi.org/10.7748/ns2002.06.16.40.33.c3214

Weyant, E. (2022). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 19(1), 54–55.

Young, D. S., & Casey, E. A. (2019). An Examination of the Sufficiency of Small Qualitative Samples. Social Work Research, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svy026




DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MACI.2025.02.2.1635

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Boateng Antwi, Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum, Danley Colecraft Aidoo, Ololade Latifat Abdulrahman, Ebenezer Osei Jones

Multidisciplinary Adaptive Climate Insights

E-ISSN: 3009-6332

P-ISSN: 3009-7924

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

maci@aast.edu