Cocoa and Total System Yields of Organic and Conventional Agroforestry vs. Monoculture Systems in a Long-Term Field Trial in Bolivia

Abstract

SUMMARYCocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is produced in systems of varying complexity ranging from monoculture with temporary shade to highly diverse agroforests. Producers have to weigh high cocoa yields in the short to medium term in monocultures against higher total system yields in the short term and sustainable production systems in the long term in conjunction with ecosystem services in agroforestry systems (AFs). More long-term data on the comparative agronomic, economic and ecological performance of differently managed cocoa production systems is required to make sound recommendations to farmers. This paper describes the only long-term field trial worldwide comparing different cocoa production systems under conventional and organic management. The factors (i) crop diversity (monoculture vs. agroforestry), (ii) management practice (conventional vs. organic) and (iii) cultivar are being tested in a full-factorial, randomized complete block design with four replications. First, results showed significantly faster development of trunk circumferences in monocultures (+21%) compared to AFs. Cocoa yields were 47% lower in the organic compared to the conventional monoculture. In the AFs, however, the organic–conventional yield gap was less pronounced (−16%) and statistically insignificant. The cumulative yields of all products harvested were significantly higher in the AFs (+161%) compared to the monocultures. The productivity of cocoa by-crops in AFs may contribute to local food security and risk distribution in smallholder contexts.

Shade trees and tree pruning alter throughfall and microclimate in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production systems

“…It lies on an alluvial terrace 380 m.a.s.l. at 15°27′ 36.60′′ S and 67°28′ 20.65′′ W, with soil of Lixisols and Luvisols classes (Schneider et al 2017).…”

Cacao agroforestry systems have higher return on labor compared to full-sun monocultures

“…Agroforestry and monocultures under conventional Fig. 1 Experimental plots showing cacao trees in full-sun monoculture and agroforestry systems management represent the largest share of cacao production worldwide (Schneider et al 2016). Each production system was replicated four times in a completely randomized block design.…”

“…A perennial legume cover crop (Neonotonia wightii (Arn.) Lackey) was sown in the organically managed systems (Schneider et al 2016).…”

Doubling farmer's income: The case of India

“…However, there are bounds to what may be gained as investments go into raising yield because the existing average yields in China are approximately twice as that of India. Accomodating the fact in policy, China, thus has majorly focused on expanding the nonagricultural sector so that the surplus labor may be transited to large and medium cities from agriculture, which will expand the channels income generation of farmers and to facilitate such a planned transition, it has built an integrated labor market (Schneider et al, ). Furthermore, provision of insurance and institutional finance by both private and public sources have been made along with necessary subsidies for production of food grain.…”