Abdulai, A.

Asare, R.

Asten, Piet J.A. van

Graefe, S.

Jassogne, Laurence T.P.

Läderach, Peter

Muilerman, Sander

Vaast, Philippe

Graefe, Sophie

CGSpace

Tropentag, September 16-18, 2015, Berlin, Germany“Management of land use systems for enhanced food security:conflicts, controversies and resolutions”Evaluation of Yield Gap and Production Factors in Cocoa SystemsAlong a Climatic Gradient in GhanaIssaka Abdulai1, Laurence Jassogne2, Sander Muilerman3, Richard Asare3, SophieGraefe4, Philippe Vaast51Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Crop Production Systems in the Tropics, Germany2International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Uganda3International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ghana,4Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Germany5CIRAD Montpellier, France & ICRAF Nairobi, KenyaAbstractFactors limiting cocoa production include infestation of pests and diseases, low soil ferti-lity, poor management practices, excessive shade and above all climate change. Sustainableintensification through climate smart agriculture has been identified as the way forward.In this context, soil conservation and knowledge of agroforestry could ensure sustainabilityand resilience to climate change while increasing yields. The cocoa growing region of Ghanais predicted to experience increased temperatures, resulting in higher evapotranspirationrates, as well as more erratic rainfall patterns and longer dry seasons, causing heat andwater stress. Despite an increase of cocoa productivity over the last decade in Ghana, theestimated national average of 400 kg ha−1yr−1 is still low compared to yields from othercountries.The present study aimed at assessing the cocoa yield gap in three sites along a latitudinal(rainfall) gradient in the cocoa belt of Ghana. Surveys were carried out with 50 farmersper location. Farmers were interviewed about their management practices, and farms weresubsequently visited for inventories on cocoa and shade trees, soil and foliar sampling, andan assessment of pests and diseases.Cocoa yield gap per location is estimated by means of a boundary line analysis. Con-tribution of production factors (such as soil fertility, agricultural management, pests anddiseases) to yield losses are expressed as percentage of attainable yields. The results willthen be put in the context of climate change. Considering the potential impact of climatechange on cocoa production in Ghana, and the unpredictability of yield outcomes of adap-tation measures that farmers are facing today, such a study can guide in setting prioritiesfor location specific adaptation strategies.Keywords: Climate change, cocoa, intensification, productivity, soil fertility, sustainability, yield gapContact Address: Issaka Abdulai, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Crop Production Systems in the Tropics,Griesbachstr. 6 , 37077 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: iabdula@gwdg.de

Evaluation of yield gap and production factor in cocoa systems along a climatic gradient in Ghana

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/75741/2/Abdulai_0T98GW3J.pdf

Evaluation of yield gap and production factor in cocoa systems along a climatic gradient in Ghana

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CGSpace