Abstract
Agroforestry especially in the context of cocoa production is a powerful tool for sustainable development. The overall objective of this study was to identify the type of cocoa Agroforestry System (CAS) that can conciliate ecological interests with existential concerns of rural populations. Characterization of the different types of CAS was done through a questionnaire survey of 140 cocoa farmers and field sampling in 25 m x 25 m quadrats where all trees of dbh ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. The undergrowth, the litter and the roots were collected respectively in quadrats of 1 m<sup>2</sup>; 0.5 m<sup>2</sup>; and 0.2 m<sup>2</sup>. A total of 122 quadrats were assessed in the different types of CAS in the study area. The results show that there are three types of CAS including Traditional, SODECAO and Innovative CAS. The most profitable CAS in terms of merchant cocoa are Innovative CAS (2223.75 $.ha<sup>-1</sup>) followed by SODECAO CAS (2014.61 $.ha<sup>-1</sup>). There is a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the carbon stock of Traditional CAS (107.90 t C.ha<sup>-1</sup>), SODECAO (87.78 t C.ha<sup>-1</sup>) and the Innovative CAS (28.98 t C.ha<sup>-1</sup>). The SODECAO CAS is the most appropriate to conciliate cocoa farming and carbon sequestration.
Highlights
Deforestation observed in many countries has the direct consequence of CO2 emission into the atmosphere [1]
[24] had already specified that when cocoa farming is done under light shade, the yield decrease is progressive, because the cocoa plants exposed in full sun weaken quickly, causing a drop in the production regime and the shortening of its life cycle
The higher ecological value of carbon in Traditional and SODECAO cocoa Agroforestry System (CAS) makes it possible to understand the ecological role of these types of cocoa CAS
Summary
Deforestation observed in many countries has the direct consequence of CO2 emission into the atmosphere [1] This deforestation has contributed significantly to climate change, which remains to this day one of the major concerns of the international community and a reality which all of humanity must face [2]. In order to define a global climate policy, reliable estimates of carbon stocks in forest ecosystems are necessary [7] In this context, agroforestry is seen as an option for sustainable land use which both integrates the conservation of resources and provides livelihoods for the population [8]. These systems offer a range of services such as conservation of biodiversity and soil, maintenance of soil fertility and provision of additional resources to local populations while contributing to the gross
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