Variations in yield gaps of smallholder cocoa systems and the main determining factors along a climate gradient in Ghana

Abdulai, Issaka; Hoffmann, Munir P.; Jassogne, Laurence; Asare, Richard; Graefe, Sophie; Tao, Hsiao-Hang; Muilerman, Sander; Vaast, Philippe; Asten, Piet J.A. van; Läderach, Peter; Rötter, Reimund P.

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102812

Cited by 44 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Therefore, extension efforts should continue and forestry policies should support certification programs and propose other payment for ecosystem services to encourage farmers in cocoa agroforestry adoption. Abdulai et al [100] found that accessibility to training on good agricultural practices, the availability of quality planting materials (access to hybrid cocoa seeds) and the cultivation of the optimum plot size to ensure high input use and management efficiency are some important factors for yield improvement to avoid potential deforestation in the climatically suitable wetter zones or remaining forest areas. In degraded gazetted forests, Bitty et al [13] suggested forest regeneration focusing on native tree species in line with forest landscape restoration principles [101] and ecological restoration principles and standards [102].…”

Section: Local People Perceptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Land Use and Land Cover Change and Farmers’ Perceptions of Deforestation and Land Degradation in South-West Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

Kouassi

Gyau²,

Diby

et al. 2021

Land

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Deforestation and land degradation remain two major economic and environmental threats in Côte d’Ivoire. This study assessed land use and land cover (LULC) change and farmers’ perceptions of the drivers and effects of deforestation and land degradation in south-western Côte d’Ivoire. We used remotely sensed data to determine LULC change trends, and a household survey to collect farmers’ perceptions of deforestation and land degradation. A total of 411 households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and the focus group discussions involved 25 farmers. Landsat image analysis reported a drastic LULC change and a conversion of forestlands into agriculture from 1987 to 2015 at a rate of 1.44%/year and 3.44%/year for dense forests and degraded forests, respectively. The household survey revealed that the major causes of deforestation perceived by farmers included population growth (79.3%), extensive agriculture (72.9%), migration (54.2%) and logging (47.7%). Land degradation evolved, from a shortened fallow period (46.7%) and an inappropriate application of inputs (31.4%). The perceived major effects linked to deforestation encompassed land degradation (70.6%), loss of biodiversity (63.8%), global warming (56.9%) and loss of livelihood assets (54.3%). Therefore, this study recommends participatory landscape planning, reforestation and capacity building of stakeholders for sustainable intensification of the production systems to reduce LULC challenges for enhanced productive and protective functions of remaining forests.

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Section: Local People Perceptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Land Use and Land Cover Change and Farmers’ Perceptions of Deforestation and Land Degradation in South-West Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

Kouassi

Gyau²,

Diby

et al. 2021

Land

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“…Advanced age was negatively associated with knowledge of herbicide resistance. Although advanced age is linked with great farming experience, the more farmers age, the less knowledge they have about technical issues such as herbicide resistance (Abdulai et al 2020;Ogunmodede and Awotide 2020;Prashanth et al 2018), a situation probably related to poor education and limited access to new information technologies that tend to be more accessible to the younger generation. The negative association with low level of education and the positive association with higher education probably reflect educated persons' high levels of knowledge and good access to information sources.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weed control practices and awareness of herbicide resistance among cereal farmers of northern Greece

et al. 2020

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Knowledge of weed control practices and farmers’ awareness of herbicide resistance could be a basis for improving weed management programs with respect to herbicide resistance, but research on this topic is limited. This study reports current weed control practices and levels of awareness of herbicide resistance among cereal farmers of northern Greece, following face-to-face interviews with 250 cereal farmers of Evros district based on a structured questionnaire. Most farmers (82.8%) used herbicides in cereal production, with one application per growing season. Farmers appeared divided with respect to using the same herbicide each year, while the majority of the farmers (90.8%) applied crop rotation. Almost half of the farmers (47.2%) did not know what herbicide resistance is, but most farmers (74.8%) felt that herbicide resistance would be a problem for them. Based on nine knowledge questions about herbicide resistance, 66.8% of the farmers had good knowledge, while 33.2% had poor knowledge. Almost seven out of ten farmers (69.2%) did not consider herbicide resistance when purchasing an herbicide for use, while only 40.4% were willing to change common weed control practices to prevent herbicide resistance. Awareness of herbicide resistance did not differ with gender, while poor awareness levels increased with advanced age, low education levels, and small farm size. Farmers who used chemical weed control showed higher awareness levels of herbicide resistance than farmers who never used herbicides. Farmers who were keeping records of herbicide applications, those who observed low efficacy of herbicides in their field, and those who applied crop rotation showed high awareness levels of herbicide resistance, while farmers who used the same herbicide each year showed poor awareness. Findings shed light on inter-relationships between farmers’ awareness of herbicide resistance and current weed control practices that could be useful for targeted extension education.

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“…Various authors have argued that a key benefit of compost addition is the increase in soil water holding capacity (Adugna, 2016;Blanco-Canqui & Lal, 2007;Nguyen, 2013;Smith, 2018;Zemánek, 2011). This is useful as cocoa yield is strongly affected by soil water regimes (Abdulai et al, 2020;Dada, 2018;Kotei, 2019). Improving soil water storage, it may have served as a water reserve which may have resulted in different levels of drought stress between the composted and non-composted treatments.…”

Section: Effect Of the Compostmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medium-term effect of fertilizer, compost, and dolomite on cocoa soil and productivity in Sulawesi, Indonesia

et al. 2021

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In Indonesia, management practices that reduce soil fertility could be limiting cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production. To address this, we investigated the effects of fertilizers and organic amendments comprising different combinations of NPK + urea, dolomite, and manure-based compost on soil properties and cocoa productivity. We extended an existing field experiment in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, to assess these treatments’ effects on cocoa trees from the age of 2.9 years to 7.4 years. The treatments were first applied 5 months after planting and subsequently twice a year. Soil analyses were performed before planting, after 3 years, and finally after 7 years. Productivity was assessed yearly between the age of 3.5 and 7.4 years. The highest yields were obtained from the plots receiving compost, although the yield benefits diminished over time. Inorganic fertilizer alone doubled the yield compared to the control, while the yields with compost and compost + fertilizer were three times that of the control. With dolomite alone, the yield cumulated over 4 years was 41% higher than the control. The positive effect of compost on cocoa yields can potentially be attributed to (1) physical changes increasing soil water availability, (2) the chemical improvement of nutrient availability, and (3) biologically, by promoting the activity of beneficial organisms. The application of dolomite increased soil pH, Ca, and Mg contents. Soil organic carbon greatly declined in the composted treatments, even though 10 kg of compost was applied per tree per year, probably because of the low C:N ratio of the compost. Future studies should assess different fertilizer formulations and combinations with organic inputs and explore the mechanisms by which compost promotes cocoa productivity.

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Variations in yield gaps of smallholder cocoa systems and the main determining factors along a climate gradient in Ghana

Cited by 44 publications

References 35 publications

Assessing Land Use and Land Cover Change and Farmers’ Perceptions of Deforestation and Land Degradation in South-West Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

Assessing Land Use and Land Cover Change and Farmers’ Perceptions of Deforestation and Land Degradation in South-West Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

Weed control practices and awareness of herbicide resistance among cereal farmers of northern Greece

Medium-term effect of fertilizer, compost, and dolomite on cocoa soil and productivity in Sulawesi, Indonesia

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