scholarly journals Cocoa agroforestry systems in Africa – the art of reconciling sustainable production and ecological services

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Patrick Jagoret ◽  
Stéphane Saj ◽  
Aurélie Carimentrand
Keyword(s):  
Crop Protection ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Ecological Services ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Indicator Measurement ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Technical Solutions ◽  
Technical Recommendations

Combining mixed trees with cocoa trees in so-called cocoa agroforestry systems is emerging as a viable option for regenerating cocoa cropping in Africa. Pure cocoa crop stands currently prevail in these areas but are running out of steam. Technical solutions are therefore urgently needed to stabilize cocoa-growing areas, reduce pressure on forests and adapt to climate change. A balance can be struck in stands by combining cocoa trees with diverse trees chosen by farmers for their different uses, while maintaining a suitable and sustainable cocoa yield. Ecological services such as carbon storage and crop protection are co-benefits of this balance. Recent research in Cameroon highlights that cocoa agroforestry stands can be managed using a straightforward indicator—measurement of the basal area of cocoa trees and associated trees. This indicator could be adopted for sustainable cocoa production certification purposes, while the observed convergence between local know-how and scientific results could facilitate joint drawing up of technical recommendations.

scholarly journals Working towards Sustainable Innovation for Green Waste Benefits: The Role of Awareness of Consequences in the Adoption of Shaded Cocoa Agroforestry in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1453
Author(s):  
Fred A. Yamoah ◽  
James S. Kaba ◽  
David Botchie ◽  
Joseph Amankwah-Amoah
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Diffusion Of Information ◽  
Efficient Diffusion ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farm ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

Drawing on the awareness of consequence literature, this paper unpacks how the awareness of the consequences of full-sun cocoa production can encourage farmers to adopt shaded cocoa agroforestry that preserves the land and favours better cocoa farm waste management. Using Ghana as a case study, the paper provides distinctive insights on how shaded cocoa agroforestry systems provide sustainable yields in the medium- to long-term, relative to unshaded systems. We also find that cocoa farmers’ awareness of consequences about the effects of undertaking unshaded cocoa production could make individual farmers exhibit pro-environmental behaviour, leading to the adoption of cocoa agroforestry systems that help preserve soil fertility and improve waste management. We recommend that the utilization of awareness of consequence protocols, coupled with the efficient diffusion of information on the benefits of agroforestry in terms of waste management and environmental improvements to the cocoa farmers, could increase the adoption of shaded cocoa production regimes in Ghana.

Influence of organic cocoa agroforestry on soil physico-chemical properties and crop yields of smallholders’ cocoa farms, Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michael Asigbaase ◽  
Barry H. Lomax ◽  
Evans Dawoe ◽  
Sofie Sjogersten
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Organic Management ◽  
Conventional Management ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The success of sustainable Theobroma cacao (cocoa) production depends on the physical and chemical properties of the soils on which they are established but these are possibly moderated by the management approach that farmers adopt. We assessed and compared soil physico-chemical properties of young, mature and old organic and conventional cocoa agroforestry systems at two depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) and evaluated the production of cocoa pods, banana and plantain in the two farm types. Cocoa farms under organic management had 20, 81, 88 and 323% higher stocks of soil organic carbon, P, Mn and Cu, respectively, compared to those under conventional management. Higher soil moisture content, electrical conductivity and pH were found on organic systems than the conventional farms. Annual cocoa pod production per tree was similar in both cocoa systems (Org. 10.1 ± 1.1 vs Con. 10.1 ± 0.6 pods per tree). The annual production of banana and plantain was higher on organic farms (186.3 ± 34.70 kg ha−1 yr−1) than conventional systems (31.6 ± 9.58 kg ha−1 yr−1). We concluded that organic management of cocoa agroforestry systems result in soils with the greater overall quality for cocoa production than conventional management and it increases the yield of co-products. Studies focusing on the impact of organic management on cocoa agroforestry systems at the landscape and regional scales are urgently needed to further deepen our understanding and support policy.

Carbon dynamics in cocoa agroforestry systems in Central Cameroon: afforestation of savannah as a sequestration opportunity

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarijn Nijmeijer ◽  
Pierre-Éric Lauri ◽  
Jean-Michel Harmand ◽  
Stéphane Saj
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry

Farmers’ assessment of the use value of agrobiodiversity in complex cocoa agroforestry systems in central Cameroon

2014 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 983-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jagoret ◽  
J. Kwesseu ◽  
C. Messie ◽  
I. Michel-Dounias ◽  
E. Malézieux
Keyword(s):  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Use Value ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry

scholarly journals Correction to: Carbon dynamics in cocoa agroforestry systems in Central Cameroon: afforestation of savannah as a sequestration opportunity

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 869-869
Author(s):  
Annemarijn Nijmeijer ◽  
Pierre-Éric Lauri ◽  
Jean-Michel Harmand ◽  
Stéphane Saj
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry

Rehabilitation practices that shape cocoa agroforestry systems in Central Cameroon: key management strategies for long-term exploitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 1185-1199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Jagoret ◽  
Didier Snoeck ◽  
Emmanuel Bouambi ◽  
Hervé Todem Ngnogue ◽  
Salomon Nyassé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Cocoa Agroforestry
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