The productivity of cacao trees decreases with time, forcing farmers to cut down old trees or establish new plantations elsewhere.

Can grafting help? A shoot from a promising variety is implanted into an adult tree. An international research team led by our Uni found that grafting can rejuvenate cacao plants, increase yield & income without sacrificing #biodiversity: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html?id=7708 #CocoaFarming

#AppliedEcology: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14851

Lots of discussion in Ghana at the moment about galamsey (in short, illegal gold-mining, but there is more complexity of course!). Causing destruction of cocoa farms (often without owner's consent!) and also ancient/semi-natural forest fragments. Solution is going to be complex and multilayered, but in the meantime it's another challenge for a cocoa sector already under stress.

#Galamsey #CocoaFarming #SustainableAgriculture

Do you work in any area of cocoa?

We are seeking opinions on research priorities and challenges in the cocoa sector, especially production and processing.

Please complete our form (5-10 min) to share your opinions/priorities:
https://forms.office.com/e/NAMajwPYkZ

#Cocoa #SustainableAgriculture #CocoaFarming #TropicalAgriculture #Agroforestry #ClimateSmartAgriculture