Dissertation: Changing the governance structures could shape the future of sustainable organic cocoa production (Obeng)
Sustainable support of agriculture cannot be done alone either on a global scale or locally. Obeng’s research highlights key policy adoption barriers, including insufficient market development, limited research development, and innovation (RDI), top-down governance models, and inadequate farmer training.
“Organic cocoa governance is more than an agricultural issue; it’s about fostering sustainable production, human health, and biodiversity”, argues Obeng.
Organic cocoa production still seen as marginal
Fostering sustainable organic cocoa practices requires integrating local knowledge in governance. All stakeholders play key roles in policy planning and implementation to promote sustainability.
A notable observation outside the policy adoption barriers such as RDI is that organic cocoa farming remains limited, not because of a lack of interest, but due to policymakers viewing it as a niche segment rather than a mainstream economic opportunity. This view implicitly impacts the level of institutional and market support provided.
In this study, Obeng analyses the interactions between international regulations and local governance systems. Obeng's dissertation shows how governance structures can be either vertical, with top-down decision-making, or horizontal, with decisions made through collaboration. These structures affect policy implementation.
“This is very important because transitioning to organic cocoa farming offers insights into broader sustainable agriculture dynamics. It addresses common agricultural challenges such as pest management, soil fertility, and yield stability without synthetic inputs—crucial across various crops and planetary well-being", says Obeng.
Master of Social Science Godfred Obeng defends their doctoral dissertation in Development Studies "Organic cocoa governance and its implication on sustainable production: A case analysis of Ghana and Ivory Coast" on May 30, 2025 at 12 in the old assembly hall of the Seminarium building at the University of Jyväskylä. The opponent is Academy of Finland Research Fellow Matti Ylönen (University of Helsinki) and the custos is Associate Professor Teea Kortetmäki (University of Jyväskylä).
Link to the dissertation: https://jyx.jyu.fi/jyx/Record/jyx_123456789_102011/Details
For further information:
Godfred Obeng
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