Global consumer preference is gradually shifting to favor ethically and sustainably produced food commodities, resulting in increasing demand for uncontaminated organic food items. Cocoa and its derivatives (chocolate, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter) place high on the list of commodities affected by this changing market dynamics.
This demand shift incentivizes farmers to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices to enhance their products’ acceptability in premium markets. This is one of the reasons Nigerian cocoa farmers continually strive to produce cocoa beans in line with strict sustainable cocoa farming regulations and industry standards.
However, cocoa trees, especially in West Africa are often threatened by various pests and diseases, leading to significant losses in yield and quality. Some of these include Black Pod Disease, Cocoa Mirids, and Cocoa Pod Borer.
Cocoa Infected With Black Pod Disease
This problem is one of the main contributors to the ongoing global cocoa supply deficit and the resultant price hike.
Unfortunately, modern pest management methods often rely heavily on chemical pesticides, which can adversely affect the environment, human health, and cocoa farming sustainability.
This is why Sunbeth Global Concepts, a top cocoa exporter in Nigeria continually corresponds with local communities, working with farmers to develop and adopt safer pest management measures to guarantee the quality of cocoa they produce.
Organic Pest Management in Cocoa Farming
Organic pest management is not a new practice for most seasoned Nigerian cocoa farmers. It aligns with the traditional methods often employed by the farmers. These practices incorporate natural pest control measures, i.e. using materials obtainable from nature to combat pest activities in cocoa plantations.
Cultural Practices
Farmer Removing Infected Pods From a Cocoa Tree
Farmers have employed numerous cultural measures to mitigate pest attacks on their plantations.
One such popular measure is crop diversification which involves intercropping cocoa with other plants to create a complex habitat that disrupts pest life cycles and limits their infestation.
In addition, pruning and sanitation processes such as removing diseased or invested pods help to reduce the spread of disease, especially when the contamination is discovered early.
Organic Pesticides
Also known as biopesticides, organic pesticides are naturally derived substances used for controlling crop pests and diseases. These solutions provide more eco-friendly and sustainable pest management than synthetic pesticides.
There are three primary categories of organic pesticides.
- Botanical pesticides: These are derived from plants and plant products such as neem oil, garlic oil, and pyrethrin.
- Microbial pesticides: These incorporate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi to combat specific pests. Examples include Bacillus Thuringienisis (Bt) commonly used to combat caterpillars and beetles.
- Mineral-Based Pesticides: These use mineral substances such as sulfur and diatomaceous earth to control pest activities.
The two commonest botanical pesticides used in cocoa farming are Neem Oil and Pyrethrin. Neem Oil is an extract of the Neem tree, and it contains insecticidal properties that help in controlling various cocoa pests.
Similarly, pyrethrin is an extract of the chrysanthemum flower and it is effective against several cocoa pests.
A Healthy Cocoa Pod
Importance of Organic Pest Management in Cocoa Farming
Embracing organic pest control measures is a crucial element of sustainable cocoa farming. The overarching goal of sustainability in farming is to balance the economic, environmental, and social aspects of crop production, ensuring that agricultural practices do not negatively affect any of these factors.
Primarily, organic pest management measures help mitigate the negative impact of farming. It especially reduces the use of harmful chemicals which often have adverse effects on the environment.
Chemical pesticides have been discovered to adversely affect pollinators including bees and other beneficial insects. There are claims that the increased use of synthetic pesticides significantly contributes to the decline in the pollinator population on cocoa plantations.
In addition, organic pest control methods enhance the biodiversity of the farm ecosystem by helping to maintain the health and fertility of the soil. These measures are less likely to hurt soil microbiome making them environmentally friendly.
Most importantly, the use of organic pest management measures enhances the quality of the cocoa products. Unlike synthetic pesticides and other modern pest control measures, organic pesticides do not contaminate cocoa plants or fruits. Hence, the measures help preserve the safety of the cocoa beans.
Challenges to Organic Pest Management in Cocoa Farming
Despite the many benefits of organic pest control measures, their effectiveness can fluctuate due to variable factors like weather conditions and severity of pest infestations. For example, heavy rain can wash away organic treatments. As such precise timing and application are crucial in the use of organic pesticides.
In addition, organic pesticides may not be as effective as their synthetic alternatives for heavy infestations. As such, early detection is crucial to guarantee the efficiency of organic pest control measures.
Organic Pest Management Promotes Sustainable Cocoa Farming
Organic pest management offers a viable pathway for sustainable cocoa farming by promoting ecological balance and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. It enables cocoa farmers to protect their crops from pests while maintaining environmental sustainability. As consumer demand for sustainably produced cocoa continues to grow, adopting organic pest management practices will be crucial for the future of cocoa farming.
