Contract Farming: Oil Palm in Ghana

Project Overview

West and Central Africa are emerging hubs for oil palm production, with countries such as Ghana seeing rapid expansion driven by growing demand and economic development goals. However, this continued expansion poses significant threats to forest landscapes, wildlife biodiversity, and local communities.

Through a Rufford Small Grant, this project examined how contract farming initiatives are advancing a new approach to smallholder oil palm production that prioritizes environmental and social sustainability while safeguarding the region's rich tropical forests. It also highlighted the key challenges affecting sustainable oil palm production and outlined practical principles to guiding responsible oil palm production and expansion in Ghana.

Project Goals

The project sought to understand farmer motivations for participating in contract farming arrangements, examining how such initiatives can be structured to deliver both economic benefits to farmers and environmental conservation outcomes. The research provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Key Findings

The research revealed critical factors influencing farmer participation in contract farming, providing evidence-based recommendations for developing sustainable oil palm production systems that balance economic viability with biodiversity conservation and community welfare.

Resources

Research Publication:
View Publication on ScienceDirect

Rufford Foundation Grant:
View Project on Rufford Foundation