Cocoa agroforestry systems versus monocultures: a multi-dimensional meta-analysis

Abstract

Scientific knowledge, societal debates, and industry commitments around sustainable cocoa are increasing. Cocoa agroforestry systems are supposed to improve the sustainability of cocoa production. However, their combined agronomic, ecological, and socio-economic performance compared to monocultures is still largely unknown. Here we present a meta-analysis of 52 articles that directly compared cocoa agroforestry systems and monocultures. Using an inductive, multi-dimensional approach, we analyzed the differences in cocoa and total system yield, economic performance, soil chemical and physical properties, incidence of pests and diseases, potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Cocoa agroforestry systems outcompeted monocultures in most indicators. Cocoa yields in agroforestry systems were 25% lower than in monocultures, but total system yields were about ten times higher, contributing to food security and diversified incomes. This finding was supported by a similar profitability of both production systems. Cocoa agroforestry contributed to climate change mitigation by storing 2.5 times more carbon and to adaptation by lowering mean temperatures and buffering temperature extremes. We found no significant differences in relation to the main soil parameters. The effect of the type of production system on disease incidence depended on the fungal species. The few available studies comparing biodiversity showed a higher biodiversity in cocoa agroforestry systems. Increased and specific knowledge on local tree selections and local socio-economic and environmental conditions, as well as building and enabling alternative markets for agroforestry products, could contribute to further adoption and sustainability of cocoa agroforestry systems.

Global agricultural trade and land system sustainability: Implications for ecosystem carbon storage, biodiversity, and human nutrition

“…In addition, the role of baseline choice, for instance, changes compared with potential natural patterns or changes compared with a year in the recent past, should be explored systematically. 142 Furthermore, going beyond investigating the effects of habitat conversion on biodiversity and carbon dynamics will be crucial: land management, for instance, through pesticide 143 and fertilizer use or landscape configuration, 144 has large effects on human health, biodiversity, and aquatic systems, which are presently not sufficiently captured in global models. 145 Lastly, linking the introduction of alien species, which occurs largely through global transport movements, 146 to the trade and consumption of agricultural products will help to draw a more complete picture.…”

A Review of the Trade-Offs across Different Cocoa Production Systems in Ghana

“…Carbon payments are a potential incentive for farmers to plant trees. However, systems directing these payments to cocoa producers are rarely found, and the payments tend to be too low to incentivize the planting of shade trees [13].…”

“…Hence, the need for an inclusive study that compares the advantages and disadvantages (trade-offs) across the different cocoa production systems [7,8]. Some studies [5,13,14] highlighted some of the trade-offs between agroforestry systems and the intensification practices among cocoa farmers. However, a comprehensive study focusing on the quantification and valuation of these trade-offs could be influential for policy decisions.…”

Elucidating Pathways and Discourses Linking Cocoa Cultivation to Deforestation, Reforestation, and Tree Cover Change in Nicaragua and Peru

“…A recent study confirmed that on average, cocoa yields in agroforestry systems are 25% lower than in monocultures, but total system yields are more than 10 times higher, contributing to food security and diversified incomes. In addition, cocoa agroforestry stores 2.5 times more carbon and offer a more stable microclimate, such as lower mean temperature and buffer extremes temperatures (Niether et al, 2020).…”