Physico-chemical Quality of Soils under Cocoa Farm in Koffikro-Affema (Aboisso) in South-East of Côte d'Ivoire

The study was conducted in Koffikro-Affema village located in the South-East of Côte d'Ivoire to assess the morpho-physical and chemical quality of soils under cocoa farm, for the management of early degradation of orchards. Representative soil samples were taken by horizon under degraded cocoa farms after a morpho-pedological characterisation. These samples were then analysed in the laboratory for fertility parameters. The results indicate that the cocoa farms have a high rate of degradation and the study made it possible to identify the soil characteristics associated not only with the degradation of cocoa trees, but also with the drop in yield. These are the rate of coarse grains greater than 50%, the low organic matter content (less than 3.5%), a very slow rate of mineralisation (C/N > 12), poor internal drainage and the acidic pH of the soil (4.4-5.5). The soils surveyed are highly desaturated to moderately saturated and the main characteristics of the absorbing complex indicate that they are unfavourable for cocoa. Indeed, these soils are deficient in K+ (<0.2 cmol/kg), Ca2+ (between 5.1 and 11.41 cmol/Kg) and assimilable Nitrogen (˂0.2 cmol/Kg). Similarly, the Mg2+/K+ ratio of less than 3 shows that they are magnesium deficient. The results also revealed an influence of the topographical position on the degradation of cocoa trees with, on the upper and middle slopes, strongly gravelly and poorly drained horizons, associated with the degradation of cocoa trees. On the other hand, on the lower slopes, these soils are deep, not gravelly, with good growth of cocoa trees and low yields.

A Comparative Study of Carbon Storage in Two Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Shade-Types and a Teak Plantation in the Moist Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana.

on life, it is important that steps are taken to mitigate its effects. With the intensification of cocoa production, there has been a shift in traditional cocoa farming over the years leading to the removal of shade trees, hence, removal of carbon sinks. This study was carried out to compare the amount of carbon stored in cocoa ecosystems to that of a 20 years teak plantation and to calculate the trade-off of carbon between the two systems. Cocoa farms of similar ages (20 years) were selected in which three-subplots were demarcated on each farm at Piase in the Bosomtwe District. Tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) was measured and soils samples were collected and analyzed for organic carbon percentage and bulk density. One-way Analysis of Variance was used to analyze above and belowground tree carbon and two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze soil organic carbon stored. Teak plantation recorded higher carbon stock (739.33±2.24 Mg C.ha-1) compared to full sun cocoa (9.36±2.24 Mg C.ha-1). Soil organic carbon across the three farms showed significant (p = 0.0010) variations with depths. The 0-20 cm soil depth stored significantly more (p = 0.0000) organic carbon compared to 20-40 cm soil depth. Total soil carbon stored revealed significant differences amongst the various farms with the full sun (40.857±0.52 Mg C.ha-1) being the least whilst the teak plantation stored the highest (72.42±0.52 Mg C.ha-1). Total carbon (above-ground tree carbon + below-ground tree carbon + soil organic carbon) showed significant difference (p= 0.0000) between land use types with shaded cocoa farm (74.3±0.89 Mg C.ha-1), full sun cocoa farm (32.02±0.89Mg C.ha-1) and that of the teak plantation (950.91±0.89 Mg C.ha-1) respectively. Traditional cocoa ecosystem (shaded cocoa farms) has the potential to store carbon significantly higher than that of the full sun systems.

Working towards Sustainable Innovation for Green Waste Benefits: The Role of Awareness of Consequences in the Adoption of Shaded Cocoa Agroforestry in Ghana

Drawing on the awareness of consequence literature, this paper unpacks how the awareness of the consequences of full-sun cocoa production can encourage farmers to adopt shaded cocoa agroforestry that preserves the land and favours better cocoa farm waste management. Using Ghana as a case study, the paper provides distinctive insights on how shaded cocoa agroforestry systems provide sustainable yields in the medium- to long-term, relative to unshaded systems. We also find that cocoa farmers’ awareness of consequences about the effects of undertaking unshaded cocoa production could make individual farmers exhibit pro-environmental behaviour, leading to the adoption of cocoa agroforestry systems that help preserve soil fertility and improve waste management. We recommend that the utilization of awareness of consequence protocols, coupled with the efficient diffusion of information on the benefits of agroforestry in terms of waste management and environmental improvements to the cocoa farmers, could increase the adoption of shaded cocoa production regimes in Ghana.

Climate change adaptation and cocoa farm rehabilitation behaviour in Ahafo Ano North District of Ashanti region, Ghana

Sustainable cocoa production is the hub of economic development and growth in Ghana. Climate change has been implicated in the dwindling productivity of the Ghanaian cocoa sub-sector, although deforestation for cocoa farmland expansion poses significant long-term risks to ecosystem stability and environmental conservation. This study assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, their adaptation methods and the factors explaining involvement in the renovation/rehabilitation of old cocoa farms. The data were collected from 378 cocoa farmers in Ahafo Ano North District in the Ashanti region. The data were analysed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Ordinary Least Square regression, Negative Binomial regression and Two-stage Probit regression. The results showed that the majority of the farmers were older than 50 years and attained primary education. High temperature (64.29%), too stormy rainfall (64.29%) and too much rainfall (61.90%) were largely perceived by cocoa farmers in 2015. The farmers were adapting to climate change through diversification into other crops (70.63%), planting of hybrid varieties (71.69%), commitment to spray cocoa pods regularly (74.87%) and initiation of some changes in the planting and harvesting times (71.96%). The adaptation was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by cocoa farming experience, number of children under the age of 5 years, perception of extremely high temperature, perception too low rainfall, perception of delay in commencement of rainfall, cultivation of cocoa as the primary crop, perception of delay in rainfall stop and delay in regular farm clearing and rented farm. Cocoa rehabilitation decision was influenced by climate change adaptation indicator, monthly income, perception of extreme temperature and sharecropping. The implications of the results were that promotion of climate change perception would facilitate adaptation, and the form of cocoa farmland ownership as well as climate change adaptation indicator influenced farmers’ involvement in cocoa farm rehabilitation.

Cadmium Uptake in Native Cacao Trees in Agricultural Lands of Bagua, Peru

Cadmium (Cd) contamination threatens cocoa farming in the province of Bagua in Amazonas, Peru. This study reports our assessment of Cd concentrations in cocoa farm soils, and in cocoa roots, leaves, testa, and cotyledon, thus evaluating the magnitude of the problem caused by Cd exposure. For our analysis, we sampled agricultural soil, cocoa roots, leaves and pods at 29 farms in the province of Bagua. Concentrations of Cd in each of the samples were measured and correlated with selected variables at each sampling site. Within our collection of samples, Cd levels showed great variability. In soil, Cd concentrations ranged between 1.02 and 3.54 mg kg−1. Concentrations of this metal within cocoa trees measured from roots, leaves, testa, and cotyledon, Cd ranged from 0.49 mg kg−1 to 2.53 mg kg−1. The cocoa trees exhibited variable degrees of allocation Cd from the soil to their tissues and thus considerable variation among themselves. We found that Cd amounts in roots were up to five times more concentrated than Cd levels in the soils and 2.85 times [Cd] the amounts found in cotyledon. Soil pH is a key variable enabling the uptake of this metal. Most importantly, our evaluation determined that measurements from the majority of farms exceeded the maximum permissible limits established by Peruvian and European legislation.

Variation in Indonesian cocoa farm productivity in relation to management, environmental and edaphic factors

A survey was conducted of Indonesian cocoa farms to assess the extent of yield variation and factors associated with this variation. The survey of 120 farms during the course of 3 years encompassed four provinces in Sulawesi (South, South-East, West and Central), Western Sumatra, Lampung, East Java and West Papua. A high degree of yield variation was observed between farms, the average over 3 years ranged from 39 to 3586 kg ha−1. Overall, yields were greater on farms that were classified as ‘highly managed’, compared to ‘moderately’ and ‘less managed’. Seasonal variability in yields was generally greater in districts with a more pronounced dry season such as South Sulawesi and Lampung. Multiple regression analyses revealed particular husbandry practices that were linked with higher cocoa yields. Specifically, the use of inorganic fertilisers, application of fungicides against blackpod and weeding were all practices that were associated with higher yields. A positive association between rainfall and yield was observed for the years 2014/15 and 2015/16 but not 2016/17, which was a La Niña year (when rainfall totals were higher). Some of the farms surveyed were planted with cocoa at very low densities implying an opportunity for yield improvement through gap filling or replanting at higher densities (although it was noted that some farmers maintained lower planting densities due to the cultivation of companion crops). Given the smallholder status of most cocoa farms in Indonesia (mean area in this study was 0.71 ha) it is important that farmers are able to maximise returns from their land in order to maintain a livelihood. This study illustrated the potential for yield improvement on Indonesian cocoa farms through adoption of best agronomic practice.

Faktor-faktor yang Memengaruhi Produksi dan Efektivitas Panen pada Kakao Mulia

Low productivity of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in Indonesia is caused by various factors such as improper harvesting practice. The research studied growth, development, and distribution of pod on two edel cocoa clones (DR 2 and DRC 16) and to evaluate factors affecting production and harvesting effectivity. The study was carried out at cocoa farm located at Renteng Plantation, Jember, East Java, Indonesia in January-May 2019. Pod growth, distribution, and disease incidents were evaluated on the stem 0-200 cm from soil level. The results showed that harvested pod met 73.51% of the standard quality. DR 2 and DRC 16 matured about 21-24 and 19-22 weeks after anthesis, respectively. Pods distributed predominantly at 151-200 cm above soil surface, and number of pod increased from lower to higher stem. Cocoa production was affected by clone, fruit position on the stem height, pest and disease infections, and harvester’s age and their height. In order to increase cocoa production, it is important to increase harvesting effectivity by managing fruit position such as maintaining tree height to fit with harvester’s age and height.

Las mujeres afrovenezolanas de Todasana y su decisión trascendental a finales del siglo XIX

Se presentan aquí resultados de una investigación documental sobre la historia de una antigua hacienda de cacao fundada a principios del siglo XVII en la costa central venezolana, llamada originalmente Tuasana. Fue una hacienda trabajada por esclavizados que permanecieron asentados allí incluso abolida la esclavitud en 1854, mientras que sus descendientes todavía residen en el lugar, hoy llamado Todasana. A finales del siglo XIX, un grupo de mujeres cambió el apellido que les había impuesto la administración de la hacienda desde inicios del siglo XVIII. Fue una valiente decisión, pero al no transmitirse a la descendencia, dejó en el olvido al pasado de la esclavitud y a sus ancestros. De ellos nadie habla hoy, así como nadie refiere a la importante decisión de aquellas mujeres de Todasana. Abstract: The results of a documentary investigation on the history of an old cocoa farm founded in the early seventeenth century on the Venezuelan central coast, originally called Tuasana, are presented here. It was a farm worked by enslaved who remained seated there even abolished slavery in 1854, while their descendants still reside in the place, today called Todosana. At the end of the 19th century, a group of women changed the last name that had been imposed on them by the administration of the hacienda since the beginning of the 18th century. It was a brave decision, but not being transmitted to the offspring, he left the past of slavery and his ancestors in oblivion. Nobody talks about them today, just as nobody refers to the important decision of those women in Todasana.