Factors That Affect the Adoption of Fertilizer Among CocoaFarmers in Developing Countries: A Review

Abstract

Sub‐Saharan Africa's adoption of inorganic fertilizer lags behind other developing nations, creating limitations for small‐holder cocoa producers. Using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory, articles assessing inorganic fertilizer (non)adoption by cocoa producers in Sub‐Saharan Africa are reviewed. Factors influencing adoption fell into two major categories: socioeconomic characteristics of the potential adopter and characteristics of the innovation itself. Farm income, access to credit, labor requirements, and fertilizer price/availability are especially influential. Future studies and outreach efforts to consider the interplay of many personal, agronomic, and technological factors when promoting fertilizer adoption in cocoa farming are encouraged.