Volume : 2, Issue : 10, OCT 2016

THE IMPACT OF ORGANIC AND FAIR TRADE PALM OIL FARMING PRACTICES IN THE KWAEBIBIREM DISTRICT IN GHANA

Paul Adjei Onyina , Lawrence KpakpoAcquaye

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of organic and fair trade oil palm farming practices on the farmers involved in the Kwaebibirem District in Ghana. It contributes to the scanty literature on fair trade and organic farming in Ghana by interviewing farmers who are certified by Serendipalm Company Limited,who practise fair trade and organic farming in the Kwaebibirem Districin the Eastern Region. Data collection was carried out through a closed-ended questionnaire. Respondents were selected using the multi-stage sampling approach. Data Analysis show that certified farmers involved in the organic and fair trade practices have gained from the programme. Some of the areas they have benefited include improved income which in turn is used to purchase inputs among others. However, training and certification processes have been hampered by the low levels of education by farmers and unwillingness of the youth to become farmers. It is recommended that massive educational campaign could help improve farmers? knowledge on the practice and attract the youth into farming.

Keywords

Farmers, organic farming and fair trade practices JEL: Q18, Q56.

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