"Certification of cocoa producers is an example of market-based mechanisms that promote sustainable agricultural practices. Such mechanisms would benefit from better understanding of circumstances underlining the participation of farmers in certification programs. This study examines farmer participation in and stakeholder assessment of cocoa certification in Ghana. It also assesses determinants of farmer participation. Data was collected from farmers and other stakeholders using a household survey, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as a binary probit regression model were used to analyse and present the quantitative results. Coding of the qualitative data was used to analyse the results of the focus groups and in-depth interviews. The results reveal that the farmers are satisfied with how decisions related to cocoa certification are made and largely agree with those decisions and certification requirements. However, farmers' level of knowledge of certification as wells as their involvement in compliance inspections are not as expected. Important determinants of participation were: channel for implementation; farmer being a leader; age of farmer; and number of adult household members. Cost of membership registration, time for attending meetings, existing relationship with licensed buying companies, and inadequate information about certification were found to be important barriers to participation. Key implications of the findings include the need to intensify the campaign for certification to improve farmers' knowledge of the program. Also, innovative strategies to increase the efficiency of compliance inspections would potentially be beneficial."--Page ii.
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