Evaluating Cocoa Farming Systems in Bolivia – A Long Term Research Project

The Farming Systems Comparison in the Tropics (SysCom) project, is an initiative that compares different agricultural systems to assess their sustainability. SysCom is a long-term research project led by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in collaboration with ECOTOP Foundation, PIAF – EL CEIBO and Instituto de Ecología – Universidad Mayor de San Andres (UMSA).

This research project is part of an international long term research project with trials in India and Kenya.

Evaluating different agricultural systems on cocoa production

The Bolivian trial seeks to evaluate the long term impact and benefits of different agriculture management systems on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) production and soil characteristics. ECOTOP is responsible for the overall management of the project as well as for the agronomic management of the agroforestry treatments.

Comparing conventional with organic, dynamic agroforestry and fallow

Conventional System

• Includes both monoculture and agroforestry setups.
• Relies on synthetic inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Monoculture: Focused on growing a single crop, often with higher pest and disease pressure.
• Agroforestry: Incorporates a limited number of tree species, primarily for economic purposes like timber, with less emphasis on biodiversity.
• Aims to maximize short-term yields, often with environmental trade-offs.

Dynamic Agroforestry System (DAF)

• Also known as Successional Agroforestry.
• Always integrates a highly diverse mix of plant species arranged in successional stages.
• Combines perennials (e.g., fruit trees, timber species) and annuals (e.g., food crops) during the establishing phase alongside cocoa as the primary focus crop.
• Mimics natural ecosystems to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and sequester carbon.
• Relies on natural processes for pest control and soil fertility, requiring no external inputs.

Organic System

• Includes both monoculture and agroforestry configurations.
• Excludes synthetic inputs, relying on organic fertilizers, compost, and biological pest control.
• Monoculture: Produces organic-certified cocoa while focusing on single-crop systems.
• Agroforestry: Integrates higher biodiversity with cocoa as the primary crop and supporting species for ecological benefits.
• Balances productivity with long-term sustainability and premium market access.

Fallow System

• Land is left uncultivated for several years to allow natural regeneration of vegetation and soil fertility.
• Supports biodiversity and improves soil organic matter during the fallow phase.
• Used as a baseline for comparing other systems’ impacts on soil, biodiversity, and carbon storage.

Key Indicators cover a range of economic and ecological qualities

Economic Performance

• Profitability and income for farmers under different systems
• Labor requirements

Ecological Sustainability

• Soil quality and fertility (e.g., organic matter, nutrient levels).
• Carbon sequestration potential and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Biodiversity metrics, including flora and fauna diversity.
• Water use efficiency and quality.

Productivity

• Cocoa pod and bean yields under different farming systems.
• Quality parameters for cocoa beans (e.g., flavor profiles, nutrient density).

Resilience

• Resistance to pests and diseases, such as Moniliophthora roreri.
• Performance under environmental and climatic stresses.

The SysCom Bolivia project (Sara Ana) stands as the largest and most important cocoa research initiative worldwide, providing critical insights into sustainable farming practices and their implications for ecological resilience, farmer livelihoods, and climate change mitigation.

Centro Sara Ana: A Global Hub for Knowledge and Training

Located in the heart of Bolivia, Centro Sara Ana serves as an international training center where knowledge meets practice. Every year, more than 1,000 visitors—including farmers, researchers, scholars, students, schools, political authorities, and organizations—come from around the world to gain insights into regenerative agriculture, agroforestry systems, and ecological research.

As a key reference point for applied research and innovation, the center bridges the gap between scientific findings and real-world agricultural solutions. Participants engage in hands-on training, field demonstrations, and expert-led discussions, learning directly from pioneering research and successful implementation of Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) and sustainable land-use practices.

Through its strong ties to scientific institutions, universities, NGOs, and agricultural communities, Centro Sara Ana fosters an exchange of ideas, methodologies, and experiences, driving forward the global transition toward more sustainable and productive farming systems.