Cocoa farming in West Africa: Diverse climate impacts production

Cocoa production in West Africa, the world’s largest cocoa producing region, is facing a season marked by climate variations that affect crops in different ways. While some countries, such as Ivory Coast and Ghana, face challenges related to irregular rainfall, other nations, such as Cameroon and Nigeria, are dealing with weather conditions that require additional pest control measures. The different regional situations highlight the complexity of maintaining stable production in a scenario of global climate change. In Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, farmers face a mixed climate reality. In central areas such as Tiebissou, farmers like Kouassi Kan report that they are able to harvest and dry the harvested beans, but are anxiously awaiting rains to improve soil moisture and promote flowering of the trees. On the other hand, in the south of the country, the short rainy season is favoring crops. According to Souleymane Ouedraog, from the Petit Danane region, the ...