Agrotechnology

Increasing cocoa yield through comprehensive good agricultural practices in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) cultivation

13^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

September 10-12, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Rozita Osman

Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Many researchers have reported the importance of good agriculture practices in many plants or crops plantation. Four major activities in field maintenance of cocoa plantation included pruning, fertilization, sanitation and harvesting. Cocoa yield is much depended on these factors. However, many farmers only adopted some practices and left others, especially on sanitation practices. In addition, some other farmers do all the practices such as pruning, fertilizer application and sanitation, but not in a proper way. Therefore, they did not achieve the desired yield. This study is trying to indicate the main factors that influenced the cocoa yield in field and the effect when some of those practices were not carried out properly. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Four different practices were adopted in 12 years old cocoa research blocks. One of the block was maintained with complete field activities which included proper pruning, proper fertilizer application and proper recommended sanitation practices. Other blocks were varied where some of block only adopted one or two good practices. Parameters for this study included harvested cocoa pod, potential yield of cocoa dry bean, infection by pest and disease and damaged by mammalian pests. All data were recorded at monthly interval for two years. Findings: The most significance practices that contributed to the yield in cocoa plantation are sanitation and pruning. Cocoa yield was not severely affected when there was no fertilizer applied might be caused by the residual left from the previous fertilizer program. Without good agriculture practices, the incidence of major cocoa pest and disease has increased. Conclusion & Significance: High yielding cocoa can be achieved through fully good agriculture practices for cocoa management. Proper sanitation, pruning and harvesting all ripe pods are very important to increase productivity. Recent Publications: 1. Ahmad Kamil M J et al. (2013) Cocoa Planting Manual -Sustainable Cocoa. Malaysian Cocoa Board. 2. Akowuh P, Sarkodie Addo J and Boa K (2012) Effect of some agronomic practices to increase maize yield in Ghana. Journal of Science and Technology. 32(2):1-8 3. Asare R and David S (2011) Good agricultural practices for sustainable cocoa production: a guide for farmer training. University of Copenhagen. Pages:1-44. 4. Oberthur T et al. (2018) Cocoa yield under good agricultural practices and 4R nutrient management in Indonesian smallholders systems. Better Crops/Vol. 102 (No.1). 5. Owusu Danquah E et al. (2015) Adoption of good agricultural practices for sustainable maize and cowpea production: the role of enabling policy. World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2(2):28-38.

Biography :

Rozita Osman pursued her PhD in Agronomy with specialization on stress plant physiology; Master of Science in Soil Chemistry with specialization on heavy metal contamination in cocoa soil and leaves. She has her expertise in plant agronomy, soil science and plant physiology. Her passion on cocoa research has been presented in various seminar and conferences either at national level or international level. She has also contributed at national level in preparing Second and Third National Communication report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on the climate change, Evaluator of R & D & C Fund Application for Ministry of Science and Technology (MOSTI) Malaysia; Member of agriculture expert group to address climate change under MOSTI; Member of working group to review the Malaysian Standard for Cocoa Bean Specification and Cocoa Planting Materials. She is also in the panel for evaluation of academic program in the university.

E-mail: orozita@koko.gov.my