ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE PRODUCTION OF CASHEW IN WENCHI MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

Abstract

The study considered the determinants of cashew production with special reference to cashew production in Wenchi Municipality of Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Data collection was through well structured questionnaire administered on 140 respondents selected through random sampling technique. The methods of analysis used were descriptive statistics and production function analysis using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) criterion to estimate the parameters of the production function. Results showed that majority of the farmers were ageing and 55.7% of them have a maximum of five years of cashew farming experience. Also there was high level of illiteracy as about 61.4% of total respondents have no formal education. Farming was majorly on subsistence level as the mean farm size was 3.33 acres. Results further showed that farm size, fertilizer, pesticides, pruning, education and contact with extension officers are positively related to cashew output while labour and years of experience are inversely related.