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

Open access
Date
2020-10Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 30 times in
Web of Science
Cited 37 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
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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. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000447166Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Environmental Research LettersVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Institute of PhysicsSubject
economic performance; system yield; pests and diseases; biodiversity; sustainability; theobroma cacaoOrganisational unit
03982 - Six, Johan / Six, Johan
09748 - Jacobi, Johanna / Jacobi, Johanna
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Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 30 times in
Web of Science
Cited 37 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics