Integrative Management of Cocoa Agroforestry Systems: Promoting Long-term On-farm Diversity

In cocoa (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems, upper canopy trees and food crops are frequently planted for shade, diversification of farm products, and improved soil fertility. As diversification remains a top priority for farm economic and environmental sustainability, system management plays a substantial role in farm diversity, requiring long-term analysis. We measured species richness dynamics in a chronosequence (N = 4) representing farms aged 2 to 25 years old in the western cocoa-growing region of Ghana, West Africa. Subsequently, we conducted farmer interviews to establish farming practices with regards to integration of non-cocoa species. After farm establishment, increases were recorded in non-cocoa and Simpson diversity index (for 2 years = 0.17 ± 0.167; for 15 years = 0.68 ± 0.026; for 25 years = 0.68 ± 0.036), but no changes were observed in crop richness. All participants interviewed managed supplementary species on their cocoa farms, with 92% of farmers purposefully establishing an upper canopy stratum. We discuss the use of principles from natural stand development for sustaining such diversity. Farmer managed crop re-initiation during farm maturation may promote higher diversity within an existing agroforestry framework.