Farmers’ Indigenous knowledge of insect pollination and non-insect services in cocoa production in Offinso municipal district of Ghana
摘要
Cocoa is the major cash crop in Ghana and backbone of the country’s socio-economic development. Cocoa is naturally pollinated by insects (Forcipomyia midges) but Ghana COCOBOD supplements it by artificial hand pollination method. It is not clear whether farmers are aware of the importance of insect pollination and non-insect services in improving yield. This study hypothesized that cocoa farmers were not aware of the importance of insect pollination and non-insect services in cocoa production. The study assessed eighty farmers’ indigenous knowledge about insect pollination and non-insect services in cocoa production in the Offinso Municipal District of Ghana using structured questionnaires. The results revealed that about 50% of farmers were aware of insect visitation to cocoa farms but less than 50% of farmers believed that insects’ activities play no major role in cocoa yield. About 67.5% of farmers identified Forcipomyia midges as most insect pests to cocoa flowers with little about midges’ activities being pollination to increase yield. Farmers held that shelter, smell and flower colour were insects’ main reasons for visitation. While 91.25% of farmers believed that shade trees attract insects, 68.8% of farmers thought they harbor pests to infest cocoa. Rainfall was the main non-insect service known by farmers to improve yield aside soil fertility, wind, good farm management, fertilizer application and God who determines yield. Implications for insect conservation: Farmers will appreciate the importance of pollinators and non-pollination services and invest in pollinator-friendly farming if educated on how insects help increase cocoa yield.