Abstract

Patrick Ateah Yeboah, Felix Dordaa and Emmanuel K. Derbile

In Africa, Smallholder agriculture systems continue to experience changing dynamics and patterns as part of larger agrarian change arising from globalization. However, these dynamics are not well understood for informing policy and agricultural development planning. This paper examined the livelihood systems of smallholder cashew farmers in the transitional ecological zones of Ghana and the implications for development planning. The study employed a mixed research design for data collection and analysis. These methods included focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a survey of 239 cashew-farming households. The study identified three (3) categories of cashew farmers, namely, small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale farmers. The results further reveal that small-scale farmers are an overwhelming majority in the industry with farm holding sizes of between 1 to 10 hectares and that they diversify into other livelihoods. These additional livelihood portfolios include food crop farming, cocoa farming, livestock rearing, masonry, carpentry, dressmaking/tailoring and trade in agro-chemicals and groceries. The paper underscores the importance of an integrated approach to development planning that takes cognizance of the complex nature and inter-linkages of livelihood systems of smallholder cashew farmers for promoting synergies and complementarities for achieving sustainability