Drivers of Smallholder Plantation Forestry in the Tano North District of Ghana

Abstract

Adoption of smallholder plantations in off-forest reserve among farmers has always been a challenge. Using the qualitative methods and survey among 193 smallholder plantations farmers through simple random sampling from six communities in the Tano North District, the study aimed at exploring the drivers for smallholder plantation forestry in the Tano North District of the Brong-Ahafo Forest Region of Ghana. The findings showed that as age of farmers increased, the number of plantations owned reduced. Surprisingly, all the plantations owned by farmers were teak. In addition, a significant relationship between gender of farmers and factors that motivated them to establish smallholder plantations was identified. Furthermore, the relationship between gender and land tenure systems was significant. The study identified low price for teak wood, absence of standard price for teak wood, decline in food crop yield due to canopy closure of teak stands, lack of capital to invest in teak plantation, lack of extension services from Forest Services Division and wildfire as the factors that militate against smallholder plantation forestry. The motivating factors for smallholder plantation forestry were financial returns, plantation as collateral to secure loans, hobby and construction material for subsistence use. The identified drivers if taken into account during the implementation of smallholder forestry could enhance its viability and adoption.