Soil security for developing and sustaining cocoa production in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Papua New Guinea (PNG) produces high quality cocoa, mostly relying on the current soil conditions and without the use of fertiliser. Overtime this continuous export of nutrients without replacement may diminish the condition of soil and yield in future, highlighting the need for an integrative approach to developing management options 56 for securing PNG soil under cocoa. In PNG, main provinces where cocoa is produced are Bougainville, Madang, East and West New Britain, Morobe, East and West Sepik and New Ireland, and the examples of common soil types under cocoa are Andisols, and Mollisols. Given the variability in soil types managing soil condition may require soil types specific approaches as soils may have intrinsic nutrient deficiencies, as an example, Andisols deficient in P and Rendolls (Mollisols) deficient in K. Currently, in PNG soil management recommendation (one formula) for mineral fertilisers or organic fertilisers exists. However, there is rarely, if ever, one-size-fits-all solution, and as with many developing countries, the capacity of cocoa producers in PNG to implement interventions is heavily constrained by the prevailing social, economic and environmental context. Accordingly, there exists a need for an integrative approach to developing management options for securing PNG soil under cocoa. Primary aim of this review is to relate soil security concept to cocoa production system. A secondary aim of the paper was developed through the recent global studies that have largely omitted soil under cocoa literature from PNG.