Optimizing cocoa production systems
Backgground
Cocoa is a crop of small-holder farmers in humid tropical areas. Recently, low prices and high input costs have had a major impact on production and incomes. It is increasingly difficult for cocoa importing nations, such as Switzerland, to get a sufficient high-quality cocoa beans to supply the industry and growing demand. High-quality cocoa is usually grown under remnant natural forests, planted shade trees or intercropped with other commercial crops that protect the cocoa. Replicating such systems on a large scale would ensure a long-term, high-quality cocoa supply, improve rural incomes and environmental stability and contribute to halting forest loss. However, a scientific basis for optimal growing conditions and management of shade cocoa varieties is lacking.
Objective
To enhance mutual learning and capacities and, through applied research, to optimize and increase the production of high-quality cocoa beans as a cash crop for local farmers and communities living in and adjacent to forest areas.
Expected Benefits
- In cocoa producing countries: Ensuring farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable production systems, opening-up new high-end markets and reducing deforestation driven by monoculture cocoa
- In Switzerland: Through research and project implementation, to contribute to the goal set by the Swiss chocolate industry of sourcing only sustainable cocoa by 2025.
Contact Information
Ingrid Fromm: , phone: +41 31 910 21 92
Bern University of Applied Sciences: School of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, HAFL - www.bfh.ch/hafl/
