SMALLHOLDER FARMERS' CHOICE OF OIL PALM COMMERCIALISATION MODEL AND HOUSEHOLD WELFARE IN SOUTH-WESTERN GHANA

Abstract

This paper studies smallholder farmers’ choice of oil palm commercialisation channels and implications for household welfare. The study explores which factors have contributed to the breakdown of trust in contractual arrangements between farmers, oil palm companies and intermediaries. Additionally, the report explores which factors encourage or exclude households when it comes to participating in higher return oil palm commercialisation arrangements and the welfare differences associated with engagement in the observed channels of oil palm commercialisation.