How do agroforestry production systems function and what could they offer for the cocoa sector?

1. How do agroforestry
production systems
function and what could
they offer for the cocoa
sector?
Fergus Sinclair1,2,4, Jean-Michel
Harmand1,3, Philippe Vaast1, 3,
Dietmar Stoian1 , Tor Vagen1 and
Eduardo Somarriba2
1ICRAF, 2CATIE, 3CIRAD, 4Bangor

2. Scale
landscape
A partially deforested
watershed in the Blue Mountains
of Jamaica where forest area
affects water yield and quality
farm
A dairy farm on the edge of a
cloud forest reserve in Costa
Rica with open pastures, trees
in riparian zones and farm
woodland on steep slopes.
field
Trees (Parkia biglobosa and
Adansonia digitata) in crop
fields in northern Nigeria
Agroforestry – where trees interact with agriculture
global
Global climate is influenced
by agricultural and forest land
use across continents
Type

3. The extent of agroforestry
• New estimates from analysis of remote sensed images
(Zomer et al., 2016*)
• Globally in terms of agricultural land area:
• nearly half (46%, ~1 billion ha) has >10% tree cover.
• almost a third (27%, 6 million km2 (27% of agricultural land) has
more than 20% tree cover and just over 1.6 million km2 (7.5%)
have more than 50% tree cover
• The area with >10% tree cover is home to more than 500
million people (30% of the rural population).
• Agroforestry (>10% tree cover) is particularly prevalent
(>80% of area) in:
• SE Asia
• Central and South America
* Zomer, R. J. et al. (2016). Global Tree Cover and Biomass Carbon on Agricultural Land: The
contribution of agroforestry to global and national carbon budgets. Nature - Scientific Reports 6:
29987

4. The extent of agroforestry
• Regional differences mapped
• Globally - nearly half the agricultural land area
(46%, ~1 billion ha) has more than 10% tree cover.
Zomer, R. J. et al. (2016). Global Tree Cover and Biomass Carbon on Agricultural Land: The contribution of agroforestry to global and national
carbon budgets. Nature - Scientific Reports 6: 29987

5. The extent of agroforestry
• New estimates from analysis of remote sensed
images (Zomer et al., 2016*)
• Globally - nearly half the agricultural land area
(46%, ~1 billion ha) has more than 10% tree cover.
* Trabucco, A., Zomer, R.J., Coe, R. and Place, F. (in press). Trees on
farmland: a global analysis of agroforestry extent. Agroforestry Systems .

6. Scope and objectives
• improving food (nutrition), fuel and water security, and
• increasing income from high value products
while
• ensuring resource conservation, and
• contributing to mitigation and adaptation to CC
2000-2010 sequestered
0.7 Gt CO2 per year
across the globe

10. Vitellaria paradoxa
Balanites aegyptiaca
Prunus africana

11. Sclerocarya birrea
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
lemon papaya orange mango guava baobab marula
VIT C mg/100g
Vitamin C (mg/100g) in flesh

13. Farmer managed natural regeneration
$200 per year and only
10-25% of harvested
product sold
Crop yield increased 15-
30% depending on tree
species, location and
crop type
Benefits
correlated
with tree
maturity and
density
5 million ha, impacting
2.5 million people in
southern Niger alone
Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
Senegal

14. AF0 – agroforestry not
recognised
Agriculture and forestry are largely
separate scientific and policy domains
with a largely antagonistic interface
where agriculture is a major threat to
forest in much of the world although
the reverse in post-industrial countries
striving to re-forest.
Traditional agroforestry
practice and local
knowledge
Agriculture and forestry still
conceived as largely separate
domains but with an intersection
of trees on farms and farming in
forests, with a focus on practices
at field scale
AF1 – agroforestry
practices
AF2 - lives and
landscapes
AF3 - integrated land use and
livelihood approach across
scales from field to planet
Sustainable livelihoods
approach and the
MDGs
Ecosystems services
approach and the
MEA
Farming livelihoods recognised as
going beyond agriculture and
agroforestry to encompass mosaic
landscapes where interaction of
trees (sometimes in forests) occurs
across landscapes where many key
ecosystem services that tree cover
affects first manifest
Agroforestry recognised as an umbrella
term for all land uses (the union as
well as the intersection of agriculture
and forestry) and their impact on
livelihoods and environment that can
be applied across scales (field,
landscape, region, markets, policy
domains, global change) where trees
and agriculture interact at these scales
Scaling-up imperative
and the SDGs
Sustainability
science and social-
ecological systems
The evolution of the agroforestry paradigm
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Van Noordwijk M, Coe R, Sinclair FL. 2019. Agroforestry paradigms. In: van Noordwijk M, ed. Sustainable development through trees on
farms: agroforestry in its fifth decade. Bogor, Indonesia: World Agroforestry (ICRAF) Southeast Asia Regional Program. pp 1−14.

15. http://blog.worldagroforestry.org/index.php/20
14/12/11/how-many-trees-for-a-chocolate-fix/
https://theconversation.com/how-planting-
trees-can-protect-cocoa-plants-against-climate-
change-94638

16. High stakes: chocolate industry aims to achieve
sustainable cocoa sector by 2020
Challenge – persistent, interlinked problems in cocoa sector:
Ø persistent rural poverty (cocoa income below 'living wage')
Ø low productivity (soil fertility decline, pests and diseases)
Ø climate change
Ø deforestation to expand production
Ø competing land uses (food/cash crops, mining)
Ø limited producer organizations
Ø child labour
Ø aging farming population
Ø poor rural infrastructure and services
Photo: D. Stoian

17. Scale of solutions vs. problem
Cocoa Barometer (2018)
Progress regarding coverage of child labor and
involvement of farmers in cocoa programs – but
insufficient in terms of scale and living income
Child labour monitoring
and remediation systems
International cocoa
initiative
practices, germplasm, fertility
< child labour, education,
gender
distribution more important
than average

19. Blaser WJ et al. 2018. Climate-smart sustainable agriculture in low-to-intermediate shade agroforests. Nature Sustainability, 1:234-239.
Costs and benefits of cocoa agroforests on production, climate adaptation,
climate mitigation and biodiversity along a gradient of shade-tree cover
- As shade-tree cover increases above
30%, win–win scenarios are less likely
to occur
- Shade trees may not necessarily
compromise production up to ~50%
cover

20. Relationship between shade tree canopy cover (%) and A: CSSVD symptom
severity and B: cocoa yield in the main harvest season 2016
Andres et al., 2018. Agroforestry systems can mitigate the severity of cocoa swollen shoot virus disease. Agriculture,
Ecosystems & Environment, 252: 83–92.
- Around 50% shade cover (overlapped between 45%–53%) may be an optimal coping
strategy to balance CSSVD symptom severity versus reduced cocoa yield

21. Fig 1. Mean annual rainfall distribution (mm) across Southern Ghana with GPS points of studied sites
marked with red dots, representing the dry, mid and wet regions from North to South.
Abdulai I, Jassogne L, Graefe S, Asare R, Van Asten P, et al. (2018) Characterization of cocoa production, income diversification and shade tree
management along a climate gradient in Ghana. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0195777. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195777
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0195777

22. Fig 7. Yield variation between medium and low shade systems along a climatic gradient from dry to mid and
wet cocoa regions in Ghana (different letters indicate significant differences at between systems p&lt;0.05).
Abdulai I, Jassogne L, Graefe S, Asare R, Van Asten P, et al. (2018) Characterization of cocoa production, income diversification and shade tree
management along a climate gradient in Ghana. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0195777. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195777
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0195777

23. Timber trees
Fruit trees
80 % of species have a use value
Jagoret et al. 2014. Agroforestry Systems
Saj et al. 2017. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Cocoa stand
Complex and multifunctional cocoa systems in Cameroon
© P. Jagoret , Cirad

24. 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0 5 10 15
Use value
(%)
Fréquency (%)
Milicia excelsa
Terminalia superba
Ceiba pentandra
Ficus mucoso
Albizia adianthifolia
Canarium schweinfurthii
Triplochyton scleroxylon
Ficus exasperata
Alstonia boonei
Pterocarpus soyauxii
Pycnanthus angolensis
Spathodea campanulata
R2 = 0,9142
Dacryodes edulis
Elaeis guineensis
Citrus sinensisMangifera indica
Persea americana
Cola nitida
Ricinodendron heudelotii
Citrus sp.
The choice of species has to be done with farmers
- First group of species:
fruit trees
- Second group of species:
timber trees,
NTFP,
service trees
Farmers’ assessment of the use value of associated trees in cocoa AFS in central Cameroon
Jagoret et al. 2014. Agroforestry Systems

25. Jagoret et al. 2011. Agroforestry Systems
Complex cocoa systems in Cameroon
© P. Jagoret , Cirad © JM Harmand, Cirad/ICRAF

26. Fig 5. Eco-systemic functions of shade trees along a climatic gradient from dry to mid and wet cocoa regions
in Ghana.
Abdulai I, Jassogne L, Graefe S, Asare R, Van Asten P, et al. (2018) Characterization of cocoa production, income diversification and shade tree
management along a climate gradient in Ghana. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0195777. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195777
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0195777

28. Cocoa prices, 1850-2019 and Living Wage
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
$/ton,nominalvalues
Real cocoa prices (2013 values), 1850-2013 Nominal cocoa prices, 2014-2019 (until May)
Adapted from Gilbert (2014) Own elaboration based on ICCO (2019)
Agreed minimum price for cocoa from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana (pending a
technical meeting to address details of its implementation on July 3, 2019)
Long-term price trend negative – agreed minimum price step in the right direction, but insufficient for a living wage

29. Basic cocoa math
Typical data for smallholders:
Ø Farm size: 1-3 ha, with 0.5-2.5 ha cocoa
Ø Household size: 5-6 members
Ø Cocoa productivity: 300-600 kg/ha
Ø Cocoa production: 200-1,500 kg/yr
Ø Farmgate cocoa prices: $1,200-2,300/mt (50-80% of F.O.B.)
Ø Annual cocoa income: $250-$3,500 per household
Ø Annual cocoa income: $40-600 per hh member
Ø Poverty threshold: $730/hh member/yr
Photo: D. Stoian
Cocoa income alone does not allow
smallholders to move out of poverty

30. Cocoa-based livelihoods
Livelihood options through cocoa-based agroforestry systems:
• provide additional income for women, men and youth:
Ø Fuelwood, fodder & timber
Ø Fruits, nuts & honey
• enhance provision of environmental services:
Ø biodiversity conservation
Ø carbon sequestration
Ø protection of aquifers
• attract investments:
Ø impact & climate investments
Ø environmental service payments
Photo: D. Stoian
Additional income in the range of $500-1,000/ha/yr
can help smallholders move out of poverty

31. (Jagoret et al. 2011. Agroforestry Systems)
60 %
75 %
Contribution of cocoa to livelihoods

32. Fig 4. Distribution of cocoa and non-cocoa income proportions among farmers along a climate gradient from
dry, mid and wet regions in Ghana.
Abdulai I, Jassogne L, Graefe S, Asare R, Van Asten P, et al. (2018) Characterization of cocoa production, income diversification and shade tree
management along a climate gradient in Ghana. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0195777. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195777
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0195777

33. SHADED COCOA AND PROVISION OF
LIVELIHOODS FOR RURAL FAMILIES

34. A livelihood is more than a cocoa
field … more than a farm …

35. From Saj et al. 2017. Lessons learned from the long-term analysis of cacao yield and stand structure in central
Cameroonian agroforestry systems. Agricultural Systems, 156: 95–104.
One management tool: basal area of the cocoa stand (% of total basal area)
Basal area of the cocoa stand ≈ 40% of total basal area => best yield of old
cocoa plantations : best balance for long term sustainability
- High cocoa yield of young plantations with
high ratio of basal area of the cocoa stand
- Low cocoa yield related to low ratio
of basal area of the cocoa stand

36. 71 a
42 b
24 c
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Age(years)
Cocoa plots Cocoa trees Cocoa stems
Replacement of
dead cocoa trees
Coppicing
Jagoret et al. 2017. Agroforestry Systems
Mean age of cocoa plots, cocoa trees and cocoa stems (data gathered from 4 plots, Central Cameroon).
The number above each column corresponds to the mean age.
Rehabilitation practices that shape cocoa AFS in Central Cameroon:
key management strategy for long-term sustainability
- Permanent replacement of dead cocoa
trees and coppicing
allow the rejuvenation of cocoa stands
while increasing cocoa stand basal area
- Shade cover allow flexibility in cocoa
management (rejuvenation, reduction
of too high cocao densities to 1100 /ha)

37. Advanced cocoa (restoration) math
Ø Cocoa restoration – opportunity and need
Ø Need: ageing cocoa plantations; lack of diversification
Ø Opportunity: diversified agroforestry systems with cocoa and
associated products for income generation, food and nutrition
Ø Restoration cost (over three years): US$ 6,000-8,000/ha
Ø Global area requiring cocoa restoration: 3-5 million ha
Ø Required investment (over three years): US$ 18-40 billion
Photo: D. Stoian
Need for blended finance to pool the required resources for large-scale cocoa restoration

38. Cocoa yield vs. Carbon storage vs. species richness
§ Negative relationships between cocoa yield and C storage and between cocoa yield and species richness
§ Age < 21 years old: C storage < 100 t.ha-1
§ Age > 40 years old: cocoa yield < 1500 kg ha-1
§ In very old plots, cocoa yield < 1000 kg.ha-1
§ Cocoa yield of 1000 kg.ha-1 achievable for C stocks of 100 t.ha-1 and a species richness of 10 species ha-1
Saj S et al, 2019. In : Agroforesterie et services écosystémiques en zone tropicale Ed. Quae, 95-107.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 100 200 300
Rendementaccessible(t.ha-1)
C dans la biomasse arborée (t.ha-1)
11-20 ans
21-40 ans
41-60 ans
> 60 ans
≤ 10 ans
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 10 20 30
Richesse spécifique arborée
11-20 ans
21-40 ans
41-60 ans
> 60 ans
≤ 10 ans
(a) (b)
Accessibleyield(kgha-1)
C in tree biomass (Mg ha-1) Species richness (species ha-1)

39. SHADEDCOCOA STORE CARBON AND
CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY….OPPORTUNITIES
FOR CERTIFICATION….

40. Recycling
Input
reduction Soil heath
Animal
health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values
and diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource
governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Co-creation of
knowledge
Level 5 Build a new global food
system based on participation,
localness, fairness and justice
Level 4 Reconnect consumers and
producers through the development
of alternative food networks
Level 3 Redesign agroecosystems
Level 2 Substitute conventional
inputs and practices with
agroecological alternatives
Level 1 Increase efficiency of input
use and reduce use of costly, scarce
or environmentally damaging inputs
TransformationalIncremental
AgroecosystemFoodsystem Recycling
Input
reduction Soil heath
Animal
health
Synergy
Economic
diversification
Social values
and diets
Fairness
Connectivity
Land and natural
resource
governance
Participation
Biodiversity
Co-creation of
knowledge

41. Sinclair F., and Coe, R. (2019). The options by context
approach: a paradigm shift in agronomy. Experimental
Agriculture 55 (S1), 1-13.
Coe, R., Sinclair, F. and Barrios, E. (2014). Scaling up agroforestry
requires research ‘in’ rather than ‘for’ development. Current
Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 6:73–77
Options x Context
Three steps to living beyond our
means
1. Diverse and inclusive options
2. Planned comparisons embedded in
development programmes
3. Tools that match options to
contexts
Supporting local innovation

42. 1. Agroecological
practices (some
targeting
particular climate
hazards) with
performance
measures related
to purpose
evaluated across
contexts
Current and
future
climate
variability
and
underlying
climate
change
Social-ecological systems at nested scales
2. Farm scale
integration
(total factor
productivity and
resilience of
livelihoods)
3. Landscape
scale integration
(provision of
multiple
ecosystem
services – land
equivalent ratio
multifunctionality
metric)
4. Food system
scale
integration
(from
production
through to
consumption –
ecological
footprint)
Food and
nutrition
security
and well
being
Value chain development (private sector governance)
Policies and institutions (public sector governance)
Legislation, taxes, incentives, regulation
Value chain upgrading, certification, impact investment
Civil society
Civil society
Civil society