1. Invent a new model for cocoa smallholders.
Agroforestry, a credible alternative
to face an uncertain future
Jagoret P. (1), Deheuvels O. (1,2), Snoeck D. (3), Bastide P. (3), Rapidel B. (1,2)
(1)
CIRAD, UMR System, 2 place Viala 34060 Montpellier cedex 2, France
CATIE, DID, 7170 Cartago, Turrialba 30501, Costa-Rica
(3) CIRAD, UPR Systèmes de pérennes, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
(2)
3rd World Congress for Agroforestry, 3-7 february 2014, New Delhi (India)

2. A worldwide cocoa production usually
characterized by a move of production areas
to the detriment of forest
Why ?
A model based on :
 the settlement of cocoa
plots after a forest
clearance
 the management of cocoa
trees with no shade, or a
light one
 the use of chemicals
inputs

3. An intensive cocoa model valuable only if
all environmental factors are favorable
If not …
Abandon of old cocoa orchards
New forest clearance to set up new cocoa plots

4. Role of cocoa agroforestry systems in this context ?
Vanuatu
Cameroon
Brazil

5. The ability to produce cocoa on the very long term
Cocoa yield (dry cocoa kg ha-1)
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Age of cocoa agroforests
…without fertilisers

6. The ability to provide high cocoa yield
in association with other plant species
24
HONDURAS (N=34)
20
COSTA RICA (N=36)
18
Plant richness
22
PANAMA (N=40)
16
NICARAGUA (N=36)
14
CAMEROUN (N=58)
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Real cocoa yield (kg of dry cocoa ha -1 year-1)
1400
1600
Deheuvels, 2011. PhD

7. An ecological way to manage soil fertility
Age of cocoa
agroforestry
systems
Grassland
< 10 years
10-40 years
> 40 years
Organic
matter
content (%)
1.70
2.25
2.82
3.13

8. A capacity to fullfill several functions for farmers
6%
5%
Sales
Family consumption
9%
36%
11%
Wood
Fertility
Medecine
Social
12%
21%
Shade

9. A great resilience and a better management flexibility
Long term management with a break
Time
Evolution of cocoa yield
(dry cocoa kg ha-1)
70 years
700
300
150
800