Cacao in Mexico: restrictive factors and productivity levels

Abstract

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) represents one of the most important agricultural crops of the humid Mexican tropics. In the last 10 yr, approximately 23.000 t of this grain were no longer produced per cycle. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics and factors that restrict production in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas. A survey was applied to obtain information about 184 producers and their plantations by two-stage sampling. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multilevel models were adjusted to analyze the information. Results show that there are differences (P < 0.05) in cacao yield between municipalities (380 kg ha -1 + μoj is the estimated residual for each municipality). Crop productivity levels are higher in the state of Tabasco than in Chiapas (644 and 344 kg ha -1 , respectively). Incidence of frosty pod rot of cacoa, also known as moniliasis, induced by Moniliophthora roreri [(Cif) H.C. Evans, Stalpers, Samson & Benny 1978] is significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the state of Chiapas (60%) than in Tabasco (48%).Producers who carry out more crop management practices increase yields and decrease the pathogen's impact on their plantations. Results suggest the need to apply differentiated public policies to promote production within each region or municipality.

Moniliophthora roreri, causal agent of cacao frosty pod rot

“…Integrated disease management can be economically sustainable (Díaz‐José et al ., ; Krauss et al ., ; Soberanis et al ., ). Unfortunately, farmer outcomes vary, influenced by individual efficiencies, the cacao germplasm and the local environment.…”

Cacao Agroforestry Systems and Resilience: Potential Factors in the Face of the Climate Change in Mexico

“…and the branch galls (Fusarium sp.) (Córdova-Ávalos et al, 2001, Díaz-José et al, 2014, Hernández-Gómez et al, 2015.…”

“…Nevertheless, there are other peasants that don´t use those biotic resources for selfconsumption or sale even if they know their uses (Bautista-Mora et al, 2016). Finally, the incomes generated by the cacao production can be complemented with other activities, like other crops, salaried work on the cities and the commerce (Chávez- García, 2012, Díaz-José et al, 2014, Hernández-Gómez et al, 2015, López-Cruz et al, 2021.…”

Challenges in Cocoa Pollination: The Case of Côte d’Ivoire

“…Cocoa yield remains under the latter potential level due to: (i) an inadequate cropping system mainly consisting of full-sun monocultures without shade, leading to soil erosion, nutrient depletion, water shortages, weed growth, and increased pest and disease outbreaks [7][8][9][10][11]; and (ii) inadequate pest and disease management [12,13]; both leading to (iii) below-optimum pollinator population levels. Earlier research showed that increasing pollination, either manually [14] or indirectly by improving breeding opportunities for pollinating midges [14][15][16], had a significant impact on cocoa yield compared with normal agricultural practices control plots.…”