What is sustainable cocoa farming?
What is sustainable cocoa farming?
Cocoa grown in this manner may also develop or maintain a strong immune system which will benefit the harvest and future plant generations. Sustainable agriculture refers to agricultural systems which meet the needs of the present without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
How does illegal mining effect cocoa farms?
For years, Ghana has been confronted with illegal small-scale mining commonly known as galamsey. The results revealed that cocoa farmers face challenges because of galamsey such as; labor shortages, water pollution and bites from harmful insects bred from the abandoned mining sites.
What are the importance of cocoa to Ghanaians?
“Cocoa is a major source of foreign exchange for Ghana and foreign exchange is good for the country. Also, cocoa money is used for hospitals and roads for the benefit of the country. Cocoa is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy.” (Male FGD participants, Western Region).
How do cocoa farms grow?
Plant cocoa trees at the beginning of the rainy season. Choose a day when the soil is moist and when the sky is cloudy. Plant the young cocoa trees when they are about 6 months old. A few days before planting, fill in the holes you have dug.
How can we manage cocoa plantation?
TAKING CARE OF THE PLANTATION
- Replace seedlings that have not grown.
- Remove weeds and keep the soil covered.
- Prune the cocoa trees.
- Apply fertilizer.
- Protect the cocoa trees from insects and diseases.
How is galamsey destroying our environment?
Abstract. Illegal mining (galamsey) is known to cause significant environmental pollution; the chemical used and the waste heaps are a source of long term contamination of soil and water bodies. Large pits were dug and had all their streams polluted to a certain degree.
What are the causes of galamsey?
The major cause of galamsey is unemployment among the youth in Ghana. Young university graduates rarely find work, and when they do it hardly sustains them. The result is that these youth go the extra mile to earn a living for themselves and their family. Another factor is that lack of job security.
Which country is the largest producer of cocoa in the world?
The Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast and Ghana are by far the two largest producers of cocoa, accounting for more than 50 percent of the world´s cocoa. In 2016, the Ivory Coast alone produced approximately 1.6 million metric tons of cocoa beans.
What conditions do you need to grow cocoa?
Cocoa trees don’t just grow anywhere. In fact, they need a hot and humid climate to flourish. Cocoa evolved in the Amazonian forests as an under-storey crop, so they like to be under forest trees or other crops where there is shelter from direct light.
Which soil is required for cocoa cultivation?
Cocoa requires deep and well drained soils. Poorly drained soil affects growth of plants. Majority of area under Cocoa cultivation is on clay loam and sandy loam soil. It grows well in the pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.
How can we help cocoa farmers?
Supporting farmers to increase productivity We address this in two ways: by training farmers, and by paying a farmer premium. Training enables farmers to grow cocoa sustainably and responsibly, increase their yields and improve their family’s livelihood.
What has changed in the European Union and Japan over cocoa?
More than seven years have now passed since the changes to legislation in the European Union (EU) and Japan which have so concentrated minds\[ over crop protection practices in cocoa sector (and other commodity crops).
How has cocoa production changed over the last century?
The nature of cocoa production has changed considerably over the last century, with enormous shifts, not only in how the crop is produced, but also where it is grown. Information on the origin and production of the crop is available from a number of sources including the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO)*.
How is the quality of cocoa imported into the EU assessed?
From the 1stSeptember 2008, assessment of the quality of cocoa imported into the EU included measurement of traces of substances that have been used upstream in the supply chain, including pesticides used on farms or in storage.
How do cocoa farmers manage pest and disease management?
Most cocoa farmers are small-holders, who usually minimise inputs for pest and disease management, and may not be willing or able to invest their time or resources in any pest management when cocoa prices are low. However, pod diseases such as Phytophthora megakarya
