Worldwide cocoa monocultures  often suffer from ongoing yield decline over the years due to system-induced phytosanitary and soil problems. On behalf of Barry Callebaut-Switzerland a research project is carried out by the “Forschungsanstalt fuer Biologischen Landbau” (FIBL) at the Selborne Estate in Malaysia. The overall goal of this project is to develop scientifically viable and practice-oriented system approaches to increase productivity, quality and sustainability of cocoa production. Therefore a large-scale scientific field experiment was established on Selborne Estate within existing cocoa monoculture plantations showing yield depression. ECOTOP is responsible for the agronomic management of the trial.

The hypothesis is that by introducing agroforestry approaches, the negative impact of the common practice high input monoculture can be diminished due to the more cocoa-appropriate micro climate (e.g. reduced light stress) and improved soil fertility. In addition, the increased biodiversity of agroforestry plantations will have a self-regulating effect on the agro-ecosystem, making cocoa trees more resilient against various pests and diseases. In addition to that agroforestry can provide complementary annual crops, fruits and timber.