The Impacts of Cocoa Sustainability Initiatives in West Africa
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors present a statistical analysis on the evolution of economic indicators related to a sustainable cocoa production in Ghana and Ivory Coast. The paper is interesting. However, I have a few comments:
A few more technical info on difference in difference analysis is necessary. The author could provide a reference and explain the criterion employed to identify significant effects. The explanations in page 7 are not clear.
Tables 3 and 6 include the legend for statistical significance levels.
First sentence of section 3.3 should be corrected.
Author Response
Thank you for the feedback.
We had included more details in the methodology section on the difference in difference analysis, including the criteria employed to identify significant effects.
We have amended Tables 3 and 6 to include the legend for statistical significance levels.
First sentence of section 3.3 is corrected
Reviewer 2 Report
Generally this is a well presented report of a socio-economic study which did not detect much interesting difference between treatment groups but does produce some useful conclusions. I have some fairly minor suggestions for improvements.
Nowhere is it explained what UTZ stands for, nor what its range of functions would be. I suggest that you add a sentence or two of explanation in the Introduction.
Line 49. ...Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)...And subsequently, as you are writing in English, only use Ivory Coast.
Line 59. 1990s.
Line 81. ....consumption and production, and protecting...
Line 160. A footnote 2 is mentioned, but where is it?
Footnote 1 p5, line 3. ...had more farmers in a 'Good agro....
Line 181. Briefly explain what AEZs 2 & 3 are.
Line 186. In addition to the farmer...
Table 3. Footnote 1, line 3. What are diseased pots?
Line 220. Remove Table 3 Outcome areas and indicators.
Line 226. UTZ in capitals.
Line 523. Total cocoa income (i.e. not coca).
Line 329. ...had less fewer resources.
Line 335 ...and farmers' use.
Line 353. children under 18 to conduct.
Line 354. ...or interferes with...
Line 369. statistically.
Line 370. what does 'were control for' mean?
Line 375. Insert 'Table 6' in place of error indicator.
Line 395. ...they already have...
Line 403. Explain the acronym ANADER in full on first mention.
Line 412. ...with services the provided...
Line 425. first, followed by the extent...
Line 239. ....higher cocoa net cocoa...
Line 440. Explain 'endlines' in this context.
Line 444...importance of looking at cocoa farming as...
Line 466. ...not to the same intensity as...
Line 457. Explain 'traitants'.
Line 467. effect affect
Line 468. ...to have negatively influenced...
Line 469. ...and thus was not the impact...
Line 479. stand alone.
Line 500. manufacturers.
Line 551. farmers'
Line 552. farm workers'
Line 569. ...the need for to wider...
Line 593. inspired practices. (Note: practise is the verb and not relevant here).
Line 618. cooperatives
Line 625. ...an examples is...
I suggest that the References section is carefully revised. At least three references seem to be duplicated, i.e.: 1 & 47; 7 & 22; 26 & 53.
Author Response
Many thanks for the detailed feedback.
We have addressed the comments as follows:
Nowhere is it explained what UTZ stands for, nor what its range of functions would be. I suggest that you add a sentence or two of explanation in the Introduction.
We added a few lines more into introduction just above figure, where UTZ and other VSS are first introduced.
Line 49. ...Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)...And subsequently, as you are writing in English, only use Ivory Coast.
Done
Line 59. 1990s.
Done
Line 81. ....consumption and production, and protecting...
Done
Line 160. A footnote 2 is mentioned, but where is it?
It was empty- have deleted the footnote
Footnote 1 p5, line 3. ...had more farmers in a 'Good agro...
Done
.
Line 181. Briefly explain what AEZs 2 & 3 are.
Done line 179
Line 186. In addition to the farmer...
Done
Table 3. Footnote 1, line 3. What are diseased pots?
Typo!! It is now Pods
Line 220. Remove Table 3 Outcome areas and indicators.
amended
Line 226. UTZ in capitals.
amended
Line 523. Total cocoa income (i.e. not coca).
Oops! Amended
Line 329. ...had less fewer resources.
Amended
Line 335 ...and farmers' use.
Amended
Line 353. children under 18 to conduct.
Amended
Line 354. ...or interferes with...
Amended
Line 369. statistically.
Done
Line 370. what does 'were control for' mean?
Controlled for ..
Line 375. Insert 'Table 6' in place of error indicator.
done
Line 395. ...they already have...
done
Line 403. Explain the acronym ANADER in full on first mention.
done
Line 412. ...with services the provided...
amended
Line 425. first, followed by the extent...
Done
Line 239. ....higher cocoa net cocoa...
done
Line 440. Explain 'endlines' in this context.
Is explained in methodology line 234
Line 444...importance of looking at cocoa farming as...
Done
Line 466. ...not to the same intensity as...
done
Line 457. Explain 'traitants'.
done
Line 467. effect affect
done
Line 468. ...to have negatively influenced...
done
Line 469. ...and thus was not the impact...
done
Line 479. stand alone.
done
Line 500. manufacturers.
done
Line 551. farmers'
done
Line 552. farm workers'
done
Line 569. ...the need for to wider...
done
Line 593. inspired practices. (Note: practise is the verb and not relevant here).
Done
Line 618. Cooperatives
done
Line 625. ...an examples is...
done
I suggest that the References section is carefully revised. At least three references seem to be duplicated, i.e.: 1 & 47; 7 & 22; 26 & 53.
done
