Cash crop cultivation as poverty reduction strategy for small-scale farmers in Ghana: a case study of smallholder cashew farmers in Wenchi community, Bono region

This dissertation examines the recent transition of food crop cultivators to the cultivation of cash crops, such as cocoa and cashew, in the Bono regions of Ghana, as well as the underlying motivations behind this shift. The research also explores the means by which cashew cultivation can serve as potential poverty reduction strategy for small scale food crop farmers in Wenchi, a community located in Bono region. Research questions were formulated to investigate the reasons behind small scale food crop farmers shift to cashew cultivation and the possible impacts or contributions the shift had on their livelihood and poverty reduction. Field notes, questionnaires were used to collected data and digitally organized and processed using excel and SPSS software. It was discovered from the study findings that, the shift towards cashew production was motivated by the rising market demand for cashew products, profit in the business, its suitability to tough climate and available resource to support farmers. Despite the fact that that, cashew production was revealed to have several benefits there were other setbacks that makes the shift difficult. It was however detected that this challenges didn’t curtail the overall benefits of small scale famers shift to cashew production. The research proposes strategies that back small-scale agriculturalists, like beneficial pricing strategies, tax advantages, advancements in crop varieties through research and development, and subsidies. Furthermore, the study indicates that embracing a comprehensive approach to reducing poverty, such as diversification, credit accessibility, training opportunities, establishing connections to markets, developing infrastructure, and promoting gender inclusivity, has the potential to eliminate poverty among cashew farmers who operate on a small scale.