DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF CERTIFIED COCOA PRODUCTION IN MEME DIVISION, SOUTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

This paper examines the determinants of adoption of certified cocoa production with a view to find means increase the pace of adoption of certified cocoa production in order to improve on the livelihood of cocoa farmers, carried out in Meme division, South West region of Cameroon. The multistage purposive and random sampling technique was used to get a sample of 400 cocoa farmers or producers, from whom necessary information were elicited using questionnaires. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and binomial logistic model. The results revealed that 26% of respondents have adopted certified cocoa production with the performance and penetration index of 1%. Moreover the results also revealed that age of respondent, productivity, access to extension services, access to credit, off-farm income, profitability and farm size were statistically significant factors influencing adoption of certified cocoa production. Also level of education, marital status, access to input and perceived risk were positive and statistically not significant factors the influence adoption of certified cocoa production while gender and household size were not statistically significant and negatively influence adoption of certified cocoa production. It can be concluded that the main hindrance of adoption certified cocoa production is inadequate sensitization. This implied that awareness creation by the actors is inadequate. It was recommended that sensitization of farmers should reinforced and also all factors that significantly affect adoption of technologies be improved.