Rehabilitation and renovation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) agroforestry systems. A review

Abstract

Cocoa farmers must decide on whether to rehabilitate (Rh) or to renovate (Re) a cocoa orchard when its productivity declines due to ageing, disease outbreaks or other causes. Deciding on Rh/Re is often a complex, expensive and conflictive process.In this review, we (1) explore the diversity of contexts, driving forces, stakeholders and recommended management practices involved in Rh/Re initiatives in key cocoa-producing countries; (2) summarise the often conflicting views of farmers and extension agents on Rh/Re programmes; (3) review the evidence of age-related changes in planting density and yield of cocoa, given the weight of these variables in Rh/Re decision processes; (4) describe the best known Rh/Re systems and their most common management practices; (5) propose an agroforestry Re approach that overcomes the limitation of current Rh/Re diagnosis protocols, which do not consider the regular flow of food crop and tree products, and the need to restore site soil quality to sustain another cycle of cultivation of cocoa at the same site; and (6) explore the effects of climate change considerations on Rh/Re decision-making and implementation processes.Each Rh/Re decision-making process is unique and highly context-dependent (household and farm, soil, climate, culture). Tailored solutions are needed for each farmer and context. The analysis, concepts and models presented for cocoa in this paper may also apply to coffee orchards.

Risk analysis and cacao pod survivorship curves to improve yield forecasting methods

“…C. alliodora and S. macrophylla trees occurred at 40:60 ratio, respectively. Shade tree management consists of pruning of lower branches and thinning when needed (Somarriba et al, 2021). No shade regulation was performed during the timeframe of this study.…”

Farmer income analysis: Cocoa farming with side grafting technique (Case study in Mappesangka village, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)

“…Bone district's cocoa production in 2018, 2019, and 2020 were 10,692, 12,234, and 8,159 tons, respectively [3,4]. The decline in cocoa production is due to the age of the plants, the absence of plant rejuvenation by farmers, pest and disease attacks, and low human resources [5]. Most farmers only get cocoa farming skills that are inherited from their predecessors and are still traditional.…”

Efectividad De Momentos Y Fuentes De Aplicaciones Foliares De Calcio, Boro Y Zinc en El Rendimiento Y Rentabilidad Del Cacao Nacional

“…El cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) proporciona la materia prima para la industria del chocolate y también es la principal fuente de ingresos para seis millones de pequeños agricultores en todo el mundo (Wickramasuriya y Dunwel, 2018;Antolinez et al, 2020). Actualmente, existen varias limitaciones que afectan la productividad y comercialización del cacao a nivel global, entre las cuales se destacan los efectos del cambio climático, la presencia de metales pesados, mayor incidencia y agresividad de problemas fitosanitarios, plantaciones en avanzada edad y la deficiente nutrición del cultivo (Van Vliet y Giller, 2017;Gateau-Rey et al, 2018;Antolinez et al, 2020;Somarriba et al, 2021).…”