Cocoa is an important commercial plantation crop of the world.
Cocoa plant is a small (4 to 8 m height) evergreen tree.
Cocoa is a crop of humid tropics.
The cocoa bean (technically cocoa seed) or simply cocoa is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, the cacao tree, from which cocoa solids (a mixture of nonfat substances) and cocoa butter (the fat) can be extracted.
Cocoa trees are native to the Amazon rainforest.
Cocoa producing regions and production
Cocoa beans are produced in tropical zones around the Equator, where climate conditions are well suited for growing cocoa trees.
About 70 percent of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.
The Ivory Coast and Ghana are by far the two largest producers of cocoa, accounting for more than 50 percent of the world´s cocoa.
Ivory Coast (38% of the total) is the largest producer of cocoa followed by Ghana and Indonesia.
Cocoa contributes significantly to economies such as Nigeria’s, and demand for cocoa products continues to grow steadily at over 3% annually since 2008.
Climate suitable for cocoa cultivation
The natural habitat of the cocoa tree is in the lower storey of the evergreen rainforest, and climatic factors, particularly temperature and rainfall, are important in encouraging optimum growth.
Cocoa is a perennial crop, and it can withstand different seasonal variations with good health and yield potential.
Cocoa is normally cultivated at altitudes upto 1200 m above mean sea level with an annual rainfall of 1000 mm to 2000 mm and a relative humidity of 80 % with maximum temperature of 35 degree Celsius and minimum temperature of 15 degree Celsius.
Soil suitable for cocoa cultivation
It is predominantly grown on red laterite soils.
It thrives well on wide range of soil types with pH ranging from 4.5- 8.0 with optimum being 6.5- 7.0.
Lifespan of Cocoa tree
The tree takes five years to grow and has a typical lifespan of 100 years.
Varieties of cocoa
There are three varietal types in cocoa namely Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario. Forastero types are known to perform well under Indian conditions.
Propagation of cocoa
Cocoa can be propagated by seeds.
Seeds are to be extracted from pods.
Phytochemicals present in Cocoa
Cocoa contains phytochemicals like flavanols, procyanidins, and other flavonoids, and flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products may have a small blood pressure lowering effect.
The beans also contain theobromine and a small amount of caffeine.
Environmental issues due to cocoa production
Deforestation due to cocoa production remains a concern, especially in West Africa. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, can support cocoa production while conserving biodiversity.
How chocolate is prepared from cocoa beans?
Cocoa beans are the main ingredient for making chocolate. To produce 1 kilogram of chocolate, around 300 to 600 cocoa beans are processed. The beans are roasted, cracked, and deshelled, resulting in pieces called nibs, which are ground into a thick paste known as chocolate liquor or cocoa paste. The liquor is processed into chocolate by adding cocoa butter, sugar, and sometimes vanilla and lecithin.
Cocoa cultivation in India
It is cultivated in coconut and arecanut plantations on large scale from 1970 onwards.
It is grown as an under- storey intercrop with sufficient shade in southern states (mainly cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) of India.
Time and method of planting
Cocoa is a shade loving plant. During its seedling period it requires about 50% shade and later the shade requirement is about 40%. The plant is grown as a mixed crop with other plants like spices and rubber mainly under rainfed conditions.
Cocoa is planted as an intercrop in coconut and arecanut gardens.
Irrigation in cocoa
Cocoa is usually grown in areas where water availability is adequate. Cocoa plants are sensitive to drought, irrigation in such cases becomes essential.
Harvesting and Processing
Cocoa produces flowers from the 3rd year of planting onwards and economic yield starts from 5 th year.
Must read: What factors have led to the development of coffee production in Kerala?
External link: https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/plantation-crops/cocoa
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world? UPSC 2024
(a) Algeria and Morocco
(b) Botswana and Namibia
(c) Cote d’ Ivoire and Ghana
(d) Madagascar and Mozambique
Ans (c) EXPLANATION: The Ivory Coast and Ghana are by far the two largest producers of cocoa, accounting for more than 50 percent of the world´s cocoa. Ivory Coast (38% of the total) is the largest producer of cocoa followed by Ghana and Indonesia.
