Summary
For this Masters Thesis project, the researcher investigated the impact of UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certification on soil quality, agrochemical use, presence of buffer zones, and shade tree cover on cocoa farms in the Upper Denkyira West District in Ghana. Overall, UTZ and Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa farms scored higher than conventional farms on measures of soil quality (organic matter, nutrient content), sustainable agrochemical use, and presence of buffer zones. All farms scored below the recommended 40% shade tree cover level.