Perception Matters: Exploring Climate Variability, Mitigation and the Effect on Cocoa Productivity in Adansi Brofoyedru, Ghana

In a rapidly changing climate, understanding the dynamics of cocoa farming and its vulnerability to climate variability is of paramount importance. By recognizing the power of perception and the complex interplay between climate factors and farming practices, we unlock novel pathways to build resilience among cocoa farmers. This innovative study aims to explore farmers' perceptions of various climate change issues. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of 400 cocoa farmers. The analysis reveals four dimensions of perceptions: (1) the most influential climatic variable was rainfall, (2) the most adopted mitigation intervention practiced by the farmers was pest control, (3) mitigation interventionsaffects cocoa productivity and (4) high cost of inputs constraints their use of the interventions. Identifying rainfall as the most influential climatic variable highlights the need for targeted interventions where policymakers focus on water management and irrigation systems to help farmers adapt to changing rainfall patterns