The Impacts of Farmer Cooperatives on the Well-Being of Cocoa Producing Villages in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana

World cocoa prices fell by 48% from 2002 to 2005, with direct impacts on the incomes, health, and nutrition of cocoa producers. This study investigates whether cocoa cooperatives can improve the productivity, incomes, and well-being of producers. Information was gathered from focus groups, survey questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements in the two major producing countries, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, and subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis to test seven hypotheses about the possible benefits of cooperatives. Results showed that cooperatives did have a positive impact on the income, health, and wellbeing of producers, and these benefits also spread to the surrounding community.