Evaluation of Rainfall and Temperature Conditions for a Perennial Crop in Tropical Wetland: A Case Study of Cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

e rainfall and temperature conditions are evaluated for the first time during the 1989-2006 period, in six main cocoa production areas (Abengourou, Agboville, Daloa, Dimbokro, Guiglo, and Soubre) of Côte d'Ivoire using data from SODEXAM (groundbased observation) and the ex-CAISTAB. Statistical analysis shows an important sensitivity of cocoa production to rainfall conditions in all regions. It is worth noting that only the major rainy season from April to July and the rainfall amount of the little dry season from August to September affect the cocoa production for an 80% confidence level. is influence varies from one cacao production area to another. Moreover, the effects related to temperature on the cocoa yield seem to represent a smaller contribution of climate impact than those related to precipitation during the studied period. e temperature change remains in the acceptable range of values, between 25°C and 29°C, which is a favorable condition for cocoa growing. ese findings are obtained despite the significant contributions from nonclimatic factors, to year-to-year variability in cocoa production.

Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Variability on Cocoa Production in the Western Centre of Cote d’Ivoire during 1979-2010

“…However, rainfall which is one of the key impact factors of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa seems in some production areas and/or for some crops less determinant in terms of annual rainfall quantity. This is in agreement with [16] who noticed an absence of an important correlation between the cocoa yields and the mean annual rainfall over some production areas. Nevertheless, one can show that these lower values of the correlation coefficient do not necessarily indicate a marginalization of the effects of the changes in rainfall.…”

“…However, results show important positive trends of cocoa production in the Goh, Haut Sassandra, and Marahoué regions over the 1987-2000 period coinciding with a general cooling and succession of wet and dry phases in all regions. The temperature conditions have a stronger impact on cocoa yields than those in the south region described in [16]. This shows that temperature plays a significant role in determining the quality of cocoa production.…”

Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Variability on Cocoa Production in the Western Centre of Cote d’Ivoire during 1979-2010

“…However, rainfall which is one of the key impact factors of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa seems in some production areas and/or for some crops less determinant in terms of annual rainfall quantity. This is in agreement with [16] who noticed an absence of an important correlation between the cocoa yields and the mean annual rainfall over some production areas. Nevertheless, one can show that these lower values of the correlation coefficient do not necessarily indicate a marginalization of the effects of the changes in rainfall.…”

“…However, results show important positive trends of cocoa production in the Goh, Haut Sassandra, and Marahoué regions over the 1987-2000 period coinciding with a general cooling and succession of wet and dry phases in all regions. The temperature conditions have a stronger impact on cocoa yields than those in the south region described in [16]. This shows that temperature plays a significant role in determining the quality of cocoa production.…”

Implications of Changes in Water Stress and Precipitation Extremes for Cocoa Production in Côte D'ivoire and Ghana

“…This was reflected in the standardised yield (Figure 8). The Cocoa yield is sensitive to precipitation for some specific months, namely April-July and August-September (Yoroba et al 2019) and this is also shown in the analysis. Moreover, the insects are usually most active and destructive from September to March, particularly when there is severe moisture deficit (Anim-Kwapong and Frimpong 2004).…”

Rainfall extremes and trends during the little dry season in Nigeria

“…The devastating nature of the LDS has been observed elsewhere. Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level.…”

“…Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level. The rainfall shortage during this period hindered cocoa tree growth, the quality of the beans, and the reduction in cocoa production (Brou et al, 2003).…”

Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Variability on Cocoa Production in the Western Centre of Cote d’Ivoire during 1979-2010

“…However, rainfall which is one of the key impact factors of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa seems in some production areas and/or for some crops less determinant in terms of annual rainfall quantity. This is in agreement with [16] who noticed an absence of an important correlation between the cocoa yields and the mean annual rainfall over some production areas. Nevertheless, one can show that these lower values of the correlation coefficient do not necessarily indicate a marginalization of the effects of the changes in rainfall.…”

“…However, results show important positive trends of cocoa production in the Goh, Haut Sassandra, and Marahoué regions over the 1987-2000 period coinciding with a general cooling and succession of wet and dry phases in all regions. The temperature conditions have a stronger impact on cocoa yields than those in the south region described in [16]. This shows that temperature plays a significant role in determining the quality of cocoa production.…”

Implications of Changes in Water Stress and Precipitation Extremes for Cocoa Production in Côte D'ivoire and Ghana

“…This was reflected in the standardised yield (Figure 8). The Cocoa yield is sensitive to precipitation for some specific months, namely April-July and August-September (Yoroba et al 2019) and this is also shown in the analysis. Moreover, the insects are usually most active and destructive from September to March, particularly when there is severe moisture deficit (Anim-Kwapong and Frimpong 2004).…”

Rainfall extremes and trends during the little dry season in Nigeria

“…The devastating nature of the LDS has been observed elsewhere. Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level.…”

“…Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level. The rainfall shortage during this period hindered cocoa tree growth, the quality of the beans, and the reduction in cocoa production (Brou et al, 2003).…”

Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Variability on Cocoa Production in the Western Centre of Cote d’Ivoire during 1979-2010

“…However, rainfall which is one of the key impact factors of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa seems in some production areas and/or for some crops less determinant in terms of annual rainfall quantity. This is in agreement with [16] who noticed an absence of an important correlation between the cocoa yields and the mean annual rainfall over some production areas. Nevertheless, one can show that these lower values of the correlation coefficient do not necessarily indicate a marginalization of the effects of the changes in rainfall.…”

“…However, results show important positive trends of cocoa production in the Goh, Haut Sassandra, and Marahoué regions over the 1987-2000 period coinciding with a general cooling and succession of wet and dry phases in all regions. The temperature conditions have a stronger impact on cocoa yields than those in the south region described in [16]. This shows that temperature plays a significant role in determining the quality of cocoa production.…”

Implications of Changes in Water Stress and Precipitation Extremes for Cocoa Production in Côte D'ivoire and Ghana

“…This was reflected in the standardised yield (Figure 8). The Cocoa yield is sensitive to precipitation for some specific months, namely April-July and August-September (Yoroba et al 2019) and this is also shown in the analysis. Moreover, the insects are usually most active and destructive from September to March, particularly when there is severe moisture deficit (Anim-Kwapong and Frimpong 2004).…”

Rainfall extremes and trends during the little dry season in Nigeria

“…The devastating nature of the LDS has been observed elsewhere. Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level.…”

“…Studies revealed that the cocoa yield in Côte d'Ivoire is mostly related to the rainfall amount of the LDS (Yoroba et al, 2019). Yoroba et al (2019) reported that the LDS rainfall affects cocoa production with an 80% confidence level. The rainfall shortage during this period hindered cocoa tree growth, the quality of the beans, and the reduction in cocoa production (Brou et al, 2003).…”