A long-term field trial conducted in Bolivia by Schneider et al. compared cocoa monocultures and agroforestry systems under both conventional and organic management.
The study found that while conventional monocultures produced the highest cocoa yields initially, agroforestry systems significantly outperformed monocultures in total system yields when considering all marketable products, such as bananas and other companion crops. Organic management resulted in lower cocoa yields compared to conventional practices, especially in monocultures. However, in agroforestry systems, the yield gap between organic and conventional management was less pronounced and not statistically significant.
The findings suggest that agroforestry systems, particularly when managed organically, can enhance local food security and provide diversified income sources for smallholder farmers. The study emphasizes the need to develop good agricultural practices for organic cocoa production to optimize yields and sustainability, highlighting agroforestry as a viable option for smallholders seeking ecological and economic benefits.