Cocoa Cultivation Research Articles

Dragonflies (Odonata) in Cocoa Growing Areas in the Atlantic Forest: Taxonomic Diversity and Relationships with Environmental and Spatial Variables

In the south of Bahia state, a large part of the native Atlantic Forest areas has been modified for the cultivation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao). These crops are cultivated under the shade of the canopy of native trees, a system locally known as the “cabruca” agroforestry system. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of Odonata assemblages (adults and larvae) in cocoa farming areas and to identify the relationships of these species with local and spatial environmental variables of the monitored sites. Altogether, adult and larvae were sampled at 22 sites. Physical and physicochemical water variables were recorded for each site. A total of 1336 dragonflies were collected, of which 20 were Zygoptera species and 30 were adult Anisoptera representatives. The different life stages were related to environmental variables such as conductivity, watercourse channel width, and dissolved oxygen. The space predictors were also associated with the assemblages, mainly for adults. The present study identified that cabruca areas maintain a great diversity of dragonflies, including species that are considered to be forest specialists and more sensitive to landscape changes. The characteristics of this cropping system are considered to be favorable for the conservation of the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest.

IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PERSEROAN TERBATAS PERTAMINA HULU ENERGI NSB & NSO DI DESA RAYEUK MEUNYE, KECAMATAN TANAH LUAS, KABUPATEN ACEH UTARA

long-term economic development in order to improve the quantity and quality of life in the society surrounding it. The goal of this research is to describe the execution of PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi NSB & NSO's CSR program in Rayeuk Meunye Village, Tanah Luas District, North Aceh Regency, with the program's target community being the Rayeuk Meunye Village Community. In this study, a descriptive method with a qualitative approach was used, and data was collected through observation, interviews, and recording. The general head of PT. Pertamina, the Head of Public Relations of PT. Pertamina, public relations staff/employees, and the Rayeuk Meunye village community were the ten informants involved for this study. Data analysis technique consisting of three stages: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drafting. The findings of this study reveal that PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi NSB & NSO's CSR initiative in the form of cocoa planting is ineffective since not all community members are targeted. Furthermore, the benefits perceived by the community have not been dispersed equitably because some people do not focus on operating the program. As such, the desired change is discovered, not everyone feels the change with the program since there are still people who do not collaborate in running the program, they set it aside and consider this cocoa cultivation program is a side job.

Effect of farmer's behavior in cocoa management on insect diversity in Salayo Cocoa Plantation, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Rosalia S, Yonariza, Syahrawati M. 2022. Effect of farmer's behavior in cocoa management on insect diversity in Salayo Cocoa Plantation, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 5064-5073. The behavior of farmers in cocoa cultivation will affect the cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantation environment and all living things in it, including insects. Disruption of insect diversity will also affect the ecosystem services insects provide, especially those related to improving the quality and quantity of agricultural products, especially cocoa. This study aimed to determine and analyze the diversity of insects in cocoa plantations and the role of insects in the ecosystem. This research was carried out at the Salayo Cocoa Plantation, a small-scale farmers' cocoa plantation in Nagari Salayo, Kubung District, Solok Regency, and the Bioecology Laboratory, Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, from July to October 2021. Insect collection was carried out using pitfall traps, yellow sticky traps, light traps, and spraying with insecticides. Insect sampling was carried out three times. The results showed that in cocoa plantations in Nagari Salayo, Kubung District, Solok Regency, insects from 12 orders, 31 families, and 58 species with a total number of 750 individuals were found, and insect diversity was in the range of 1-3322. Based on their role, the collected insects can be divided into pests, decomposers, pollinators, predators, parasitoids, and neutral insects. The richness and abundance of herbivores were lower than carnivores (predators and parasitoids). The predators with the highest number were Formicidae (Hymenoptera). Good farmer behavior in managing the cocoa plantation can maintain insect diversity and the sustainability of ecosystem services provided by insects.

Tree diversity in agroforestry systems of native fine-aroma cacao, Amazonas, Peru.

Cocoa cultivation is of considerable economic and social importance to the Amazonas region and is commonly associated with forest species in the region. However, the diversification level and composition of cacao agroforestry systems in Peru are poorly understood. The objective of this study is, therefore, to describe the diversity of tree species in cocoa AFS by plantation age. Accordingly, the number of species of 15 plots covering a total of 1.5 hectares was recorded. Moderately low levels of tree species diversity were reported (H´ ranged 0.89-1.45). In total 17 species were reported throughout the study area. The most abundant botanical family was represented by a single Musa sp. species. The dissimilarity indices show a moderate similarity between the age ranges evaluated (over 62%). Additionally, the IVI indicates that the most important species are used for food and timber apart from providing shade, additionally major of this species are introduced intentionally for the farmers. Based on the observations, it may be concluded that the farmer's interest in obtaining further benefits from the plot, mostly economic benefits affect the diversification of cocoa agroforestry systems.

AUTOREGRESSIVE INTEGRATED MOVING AVERAGE FOR COCOA PRODUCTION IN SULAWESI ISLAND 2021-2030

Agribusiness Cocoa on the island of Sulawesi is very supported by the availability of land plantations to produce production even bigger cocoa with management plant and processing seed good cocoa _ thus producing quality cocoa beans. However Thus, various problems are still just faced in the cultivation of cocoa which resulted in the decline in results production. At the moment this Indonesia's position is ranked third highest, however with problems production faced _ of course just rating this could shift to down, though riches nature and location geographical very support cultivation. Research results use the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method, which shows that the area and cocoa production on Sulawesi Island in 2021-2030 experience fluctuation. Southeast Sulawesi is a province on the island of Sulawesi which has the highest area (445.91 ha) in 2030, however, Central Sulawesi Province occupies a position as the center production major by 2030 with a production of 151.68 tons/ha.

Education and Training on Making Organic Fertilizers and Biopesticides for Cocoa Farmers in Pulukan Village, Jembrana, as an effort to increase organic cocoa production

Pulukan Village, Jembrana Regency, Bali, is one of the village center of organic cocoa production. The high demand for organic cocoa beans cannot be met because the production per hectare is still low. One of the reasons is that cocoa farmers in the village have difficulty obtaining organic fertilizers and biopesticides in sufficient quantities as recommended. This community service was carried out to improve the knowledge and skills of farmers in making organic fertilizers and biopesticides using local materials as an effort to increase the productivity of organically cultivated cocoa. The method of implementing the activities was through counseling and training on the manufacture of organic fertilizers and biopesticides, then followed by mentoring in the application of organic fertilizers and biopesticides resulting from training in Demonstration Plots. In training and mentoring participants were invited to work together and learning by doing. The implementation of counseling on the manufacture of organic fertilizers and biopesticides was very successful, indicated by 93.33% of participants stating that they understood very well the material being taught and 100% stating that the material presented was very interesting and very useful for them. Training activities for making organic fertilizers and biopesticides through hands-on practice resulted in participants being able to make organic fertilizers and biopesticides very well. The application of organic fertilizers and biopesticides as a result of training in demonstration plots can improve farmers' skills in direct application of fertilization methods and pest and disease control in organic cocoa cultivation. The results of the application of organic fertilizers and biopesticides in the demonstration plot showed that cocoa trees given organic fertilizers and sprayed with biopesticides had better growth and lower pest and disease attacks than controls. This encourages the participants to apply the best practices from the demonstration plots to be applied in their respective organic cocoa gardens.

Biological control of the black cob (Phytophthora Palmivora L.) In the crop of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tree of the Esterculiceae family of great importance in the economy of developing countries, due to its different uses and derivatives that are given to the fruit. The main factor for the loss of plantations and low production yields are caused by diseases: witches' broom (Moniliophthora perniciosa Stahel), moniliasis caused by (Moniliophthora roreri Cif & Par) and black ear rot (Phytophthora spp.). Due to this problem of not having an effective control for the eradication of the disease, our research aims to determine the best strategy for phytosanitary management in cocoa cultivation, in the area of ​​the enclosure 3 de Noviembre, in the Balao canton. For the experiment, a completely randomized block design (DBCA) with 7 treatments and 3 repetitions was applied. The experimental area was distributed in plots of 50m2, each one is made up of different planting densities 800-1000-1200 plants/ha. For the dosing of the treatments, different biological products were combined: Trichoderma sp., Bacillus sp.; organic products such as (seaweed extract); resistance inducers such as (potassium phosphite) and a foliar fertilizer based on macro and micronutrients, the application of the treatments in the cocoa plantation was done for 5 months, according to the phenological stage of the plant. As results we found that T3 (Bacillus sp. + algae extract + potassium phosphite + foliar fertilizer) had the highest average of harvested kilos of cocoa at a density of 1200 plants/ha.

Incident factors in the quality of cocoa almonds obtained in small agricultural production units

Cocoa is an American tree of Amazonian origin, also known as cacaotero, since by cocoa it usually refers to the fruit that gives said tree. The proposed research is developed on the emerging paradigm, for which a dialectical synthesis is assumed from the use of qualitative and quantitative methods in a complementary way. Not limited to the forms and sources of information the collection of information, and the analysis of results, for which we take as a reference the contribution from the experience of Cocoa Producers and Experts in the production and marketing of cocoa, as a fundamental part of the construction of knowledge, and grant the same level of importance to the information obtained from multiple sources of information obtained in the year 2020. For the collection of information, the instruments are applied in three phases: the first consists of field visits to interview 5 cocoa producers and 5 experts in cocoa marketing. The second, search and systematization of documents and the third phase is a comparative analysis of the sources of information mentioned above. For the establishment of cocoa cultivation and to obtain adequate productions, aspects of great relevance must be taken into account, such as critical climatic factors such as temperature and rain. The layout and density of the agroforestry system. This activity aims to make a defined and organized distribution within the lot of each of the plant species that are going to be planted, seeking a better use of the soil. It was verified the effort made by small producers to integrate in the management of their cocoa crops, the processes, harvesting and post-harvest activities that are carried out to obtain dried cocoa almonds for marketing.

Nitrogen and phosphorus as macronutrients of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and their physiological functions in different planting patterns of cultivation in Central Java, Indonesia

Plant physiological status during the growing season (specific leaf area (SLA), resorption of N and P)leads to knowing the best plant nutrition management (amount and time) based on the plating pattern. Furthermore, proline and glucose content in root tissues may provide a better technique to represent plant stress conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the SLA, the level of reabsorption of N and P from the leaf, and root proline and glucose content of cocoa plants in different seasons and planting patterns. This study was performed in the fields of Plana village, Somagede, Banyumas, 14 Central Java, Indonesia, and was conducted in December 2015 (rainy season) and October 2016 (dry season) on 7 years-old cocoa plants (Theobroma cacao). Three different planting patterns were observed; (1) only cocoa plants, (2) cocoa and coconut pattern, and (3) cocoa with shading trees. The results showed that different seasons and planting patterns affected each observed parameter differently. Cocoas’ SLA was not significantly different in all areas for both 2015 and 2016. N resorption during the growing season did not change in 2015 and 2016 in all planting patterns, whereas P resorption had a significant change in 2016 in all planting patterns. The proline content was significantly different in June 2015, October 2015, and March 2016 in all planting patterns. The glucose content in roots showed insignificant differences in 2015 and 2016 in all planting patterns. These results also showed that SLA and glucose did respond to season and plating patterns. These parameters are suggested as poor indicators of physiological status. Furthermore, sowing cocoa plants with other types of plants can be used to help farmers and stakeholders in managing cocoa cultivation in efficient and sustainable ways.

Discovering the Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Two Cultivation Practices of Theobroma cacao

In recent years, new data on the diversity of genera and species in the phylum Glomeromycota continue to be added and rearranged. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are key to plant nutrition and agriculture. Studies report different short- and long-term cultivation practices that influence the abundance and diversity of Glomeromycota. To the best of our knowledge, there are no known studies of the fungal communities in the fine aroma cocoa cultivars. In this context, our work aims to discover the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizae associated with two cocoa cultivation practices (conservative and semi-conservative) through the isolation of spores using microscopy and metabarcoding of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). Morphological analysis showed that the density of Glomeromycota spores exhibited significant differences between production systems. Although the metabarcoding analysis showed that diversity indices showed a higher increase in the roots than in the cocoa soil, independently of the cultivation practice. An abundance of 348 and 114 taxa were observed, corresponding to the conservative and semi-conservative practices, respectively. Seven genera were observed for the first time in cocoa crop agroforestry systems, including P. scintillans, R. diaphanus, R. fasciculatus, R. custos, D. disticha, M. perpusilla, and D. bernensis.

Respon Tanaman Aren Genjah (Arenga pinnata) dan Tanaman Kakao (Theobroma cacao L.) pada Pemberian Pupuk dengan Penanaman Sistem Jalur

Cultivation of aren genjah and cocoa with allay cropping system is a cultivation technique aimed at soil conservation and micro environment. Cultivation of plants in the field needs to get the supply of nutrients with fertilization as an effort to increase crop productivity. This study aimed to find out the response to the growth of aren genjah and cocoa plant on the application of NPK Phonska fertilizer and goat manure fertilizer with allay cropping system. The research was conducted in Badak Mekar Village Muara Badak Sub-district of Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan in 2016. The research method used Randomized Block Design (RAK) and repeated 4 times. The factorial experiment includes 2 factors, the first factor is NPK Phonska (N) fertilizer consisting of 3 levels: n0 = 0 kg plant-1 (control); n1 = 0.25 kg plant-1; n2 = 0.5 kg plant-1 and the second factor is goat manure fertilizer (k) consisting of 3 levels: k0 = 0 kg plant-1 (control); k1 = 2.5 kg plant-1; k2 = 5 kg plant-1. The study consisted of 9 treatments and repeated 4 times. Parameters observed: plant height increase, diameter increase and number of midrib/leaf increase. Data were analyzed by variance and if there was a real effect it would be continued with the smallest real difference test at 5% level. The results showed that NPK Phonska fertilizer very significantly on the parameters of plant heightincrease of aren genjahand cocoa plants. The treatment of NPK Phonska fertilizer at a dosage of 0.5 kg plant-1 (n2) gives the best of plant heightincrease aren genjah and cacao.

Changing land tenure regimes and women’s access to secure land for cocoa cultivation in rural Ghana

The global literature on the ownership of, access to and control over land for agricultural activities, specifically for cocoa production, reports on gender discrimination, which affects the productivity and wellbeing of women farmers. Yet, the relationship between changing tenure dynamics and women's access to land is inconclusive and blurred in many sub-Saharan African countries, particularly, Ghana. However, understanding this relationship is important in promoting productivity and improving wellbeing, especially of women across Africa. The paper thus examines the determinants and implications of the changing land tenure regime on women cocoa farmers. Using Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region of Ghana as a case study, household surveys and agency interviews were conducted. From the study, land tenure arrangements in the study communities have transformed from the ownership by the extended family to more individualised ownership through inheritance, gift, or purchase. Even though sharecropping presents a major opportunity for women to improve their land needs, the results indicate gender discrimination under the sharecropping arrangements as landowners prefer men to women. This is because the latter do not have the required resources to undertake commercially beneficial farming. It is also argued that though the emerging land commodification presents an opportunity for women to improve land access for cocoa farming, women are still disadvantaged as they lack the wherewithal to acquire land through purchase. In addition, the existing local customs and practices under the matrilineal system of inheritance are fluid and gendered; thus, hindering women's access to land for cocoa farming. The study calls for continuous engagement and advocacy on land tenure to improve channels of equitable land access for women and subsequently improve their economic fortunes in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

In Vitro CRISPR-Cpf1 Assay for Differentiation of Fine and Bulk Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa cultivation is dominated by the clone "Colleción Castro Naranjal 51" (CCN-51). In contrast, CCN-51 is the expensive and aromatic fine cocoa "Arriba Nacional" from Ecuador. The differences in the overall quality of the beans and in the prices show that it is necessary to develop a rapid and accurate method to distinguish these varieties and prevent food fraud. To this end, we used a CRISPR-Cpf1 assay suitable for AT-rich targets such as the chloroplast genome (cpGenome). SNPs in cocoa plastid genomes were selected to replace the canonical PAM sequence of Cpf1 (5'-TTTV-3'). We developed two assay systems to digest both Arriba and CCN-51. The results were tested qualitatively by agarose gel electrophoresis and quantitatively by capillary gel electrophoresis. Using the assay described here, we were able to reliably detect admixtures of 5% CCN-51 (P < 0.01) and 10% Arriba (P < 0.05). The application to processed cocoa products was also successful.

The effect of pruning on yield of cocoa trees is mediated by tree size and tree competition

In cocoa cultivation pruning is considered an essential yield-enhancing practice but its effects on cocoa tree growth and yield, and how these are mediated by tree size and competition are poorly understood.Here, we evaluate the impact of experimental pruning on: light interception, leaf flushing and the number of flowers and of developing, wilted and harvested pods. The pruning treatment removed an average 26.4% of cocoa tree aboveground biomass and was aimed to create an open cup-shaped crown. Stem basal area and sum of neighbor tree basal area were used as proxies for tree size and tree competition, respectively. All response variables were analysed at tree level as a function of pruning, tree size and tree competition using generalized linear mixed effect models.After one year, pruned trees recovered initial losses in whole-canopy light interception but maintained a more uniform distribution of light in the canopy. Pruning directly increased flushing activity, while the effect on the other variables was mediated by the interaction with tree size and competition. Pruning increased the positive effect of tree size and competition on flower number and similar effects were found for small pod number. The latter effect was counterbalanced by an increase of pod wilting in pruned trees under high competition, resulting in similar numbers of large and harvested pods on the stem in pruned and unpruned trees. For pods in the canopy, pruning did enhance the positive effect of tree size and strongly reduced the negative effect of competition on pod number. As canopy pods made up 60% of the total, similar pruning effects were found for the total number of harvested pods. The predicted net effect of pruning on the number of harvested pods varied greatly with tree size and competition, ranging from -58% for small trees under low competition, to +150% for large trees under high competition. This large variability stresses the importance of individual-level analysis to quantify pruning effects and calls for more attention to individual tree characteristics in training and practice of cocoa pruning. The pruning-induced reduction of negative competition effects suggests that pruning can contribute to realizing high-density cocoa stands.

Termite diversity is resilient to land‐use change along a forest‐cocoa intensification gradient in Ghana, West Africa

AbstractCocoa is an important crop for Ghana's economy, contributing 25% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The crop, however, is mainly cultivated on forest‐derived soils and is a major cause of land‐use change. Termites are an important biological component of tropical ecosystems providing numerous ecosystem services. Previous studies have indicated that termites are sensitive to forest disturbance and decrease in richness and abundance across land‐use intensification gradients, with consequences for the essential services that they provide. Native shade trees are often used to improve cocoa cultivation and may reduce the detrimental effects of land‐use change on some aspects of biodiversity. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how termites respond to land‐use change along a shade‐tree gradient in Kakum National Park and surrounding cocoa farms in Ghana (from forest at 80% tree cover to cocoa with no shade cover, to the extreme of cultivated arable crop land). It was predicted that termite richness and abundance would decrease with decreasing shade cover, and with increasing distance from the forest edge. Thirty‐four species from 29 genera were sampled, with Ancistrotermes crucifer being found in all the locations (47% of all encounters). Species richness and abundance differed marginally across the land‐use gradient, as well as the distance from the forest edge; however, species richness did not show any significance with distance. All the same, termite communities were robust to the disturbance. Our findings suggest that though site influenced species richness and abundance, cocoa trees can play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and environmental quality in an agricultural landscape by providing a habitat for forest species that are not found in pastures or farm fields. However, we caution that the relatively low forest baseline of existing forest diversity may inflate the value of cocoa land, with those forests no longer representing undisturbed natural habitats: this highlights that shifting baselines may need to be accounted for when interpreting findings in the Anthropocene.

Influence of three pruning intensities on productive characteristics of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) CCN-51 clone

The cultivation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a widespread crop and occupies an increasing number of hectares of agricultural land distributed throughout almost all of Ecuador. The agronomic management of this crop consists of different agricultural tasks of which pruning is one of the main ones. In many cocoa farms, pruning is done incorrectly, causing the cocoa trees not to reach their ideal structure and leading to low production. Cocoa is of great importance as a source of external income for the country. The objective of this research is to evaluate three pruning intensities in CCN-51 cocoa and their influence on production. Three treatments with different pruning intensities of 25%, 50%, and 75% (T1, T2, and T3, respectively) were studied. Each treatment consisted of 10 plants and 4 replicates, for a total of 120 plants. A RDBC randomized complete block design was used. Health and production data were evaluated for each plot. For the healthy fruit variable, T1 pruning at 25% obtained the best result, while for diseased fruit, T2 pruning at 50% obtained a good result.

Effect of water stress and mixed types of the genus Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from cocoa roots on spore propagation and root colonization used corn as the host

Biofertilizer with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) as the inoculants is needed in organic cocoa cultivation on smallholder plantations in Indonesia. AMF biofertilizer requires a sufficient number of spore inoculants, so it is necessary to multiply isolated spores. Research objective was determining the effect of water stress and mixed types of AMF genus from cocoa roots on spore propagation and root colonization used corn as the host plant. The study used a 2-factors randomized block design and 3 replications. The first factor was water stress consisting of 3 levels (without water stress as a control, soil moisture content 100% of field capacity; light water stress, soil moisture content 70% of field capacity; and heavy water stress, soil moisture content 40% of field capacity), while the second factor was mixed types of AMF genus also consisting of 3 levels (inoculant of genus Glomus only, mixed inoculants of the genus Glomus + Acaulospora, and mixed inoculants of the genus Glomus + Scutelospora. Result of research showed, the interaction of water stress and mixed types of the AMF genus had no significantly affect on the number of spores reproduced, root colonization and host plant growth. The best way of propagation of AMF spores was by heavy water stress treatment with a soil moisture content of 40% of field capacity producing 6,713.40 spores or an increase of 13,326.82%. Mixed inoculants of the genus Glomus + Scutelospora gave the highest number of spores after propagation (6,263.40 pieces) or an increase of 12,427.77%.

Factors influencing level of participation of cocoa farmers in agricultural transformation agenda in Ondo and Ekiti States, Nigeria

The study assessed the factors that influenced the participation of cocoa farmers in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) programme in Ondo and Ekiti States, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed in the selection of 287 respondents for the study. Primary data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression analysis. Results of the study revealed that 87.5% of the sampled farmers were male. Factors such as marital status (Z = 0.1670), sex (Z = 0.0617), years of experience in cocoa cultivation (Z = -0.0085), household size (Z = 0.0109), membership of cooperative (Z = 0.0042) and years of formal education (Z = 0.0734) influenced level of participation of cocoa farmers ATA programme at 1% level of probability. It was concluded that participation of cocoa farmers in the ATA programme was high since about 90% of cocoa farmers participated in 8 out of 12 ATA programme activities identified. The identified significant factors should therefore be given special consideration by the stakeholders while implementing similar agricultural development programmes for cocoa farmers in the study area.

Ecophysiological plasticity of Theobroma cacao L. clones in response to the structure and microclimate of agroforestry systems in Mexico

Background: Cocoa is a species commonly cultivated under agroforestry systems (AFs), when microclimate conditions are adequate, it achieves high growth rates and seed yield. Questions and Hypotheses: How do four cocoa varieties respond to open (OC) and closed (CC) shade tree canopy conditions within AFs? We hypothesized that cocoa functional traits values correlate with microclimate conditions in the CC. Studied species: Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae). Study site and dates: Papantla, Nautla, Veracruz; San Pedro, Oaxaca. Rainy season, 2018. Methods: Three AFs were selected; either one with OC and CC zones, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), air temperature (Ta) and relative humidity (RH) were registered. Cocoa tree and leaves functional traits were evaluated in four regional cocoa varieties, in ten individuals per variety, canopy condition and AFs. Results: Higher values of PAR, VPD and Ta, and lower RH were recorded under OC than in CC. Cocoa tree height, stem diameter, fruit production, SLA (Specific Leaf Area), LWC (Leaf Water Content) and SS (Stomatal Size) were higher for Nautla. Only the cocoa clone Inifap8 displayed higher height and fruit production than the other varieties. Conclusions: Veracruz and Oaxaca states have AFs with microclimatic conditions where cocoa cultivation can potentially develop. However, it is essential to incorporate our understanding of the adaptive responses of cocoa to particular shade trees canopy structure. Cocoa leaf traits, SLA, LWC and SS, may be used as indicators for enhancing management and sustainability in AFs in the face of climate change. Translate stop Translate stop

Insights into the Cocoa and Forests Initiative: Smallholder Engagement with Certification Programs and Agroforestry

The Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI) in Côte d’Ivoire aims to address forest loss associated with cocoa cultivation by reducing deforestation and encouraging agroforestry. This study explores the relationship between certification programs, which operate primarily through cooperatives, and agroforestry to better understand the environment in which smallholder cocoa farmers operate. This study employs qualitative interviews and quantitative survey data to investigate farmer perceptions of certification programs and agroforestry initiatives and the impact of certification on participation in such initiatives. Farmers widely practiced low levels of agroforestry, about which they held generally positive views, and while certified farmers did not have more agroforestry trees, they were more knowledgeable about the benefits to cocoa production than non-certified farmers. Furthermore, many certified farmers conflated certification with cooperative membership. Understanding the role of preexisting institutions like certification and cooperatives is essential for the successful implementation of the CFI in a smallholder context.