Advantages of organic cocoa and/or coffee agroforestry

Organic cocoa or coffee production

Organic cocoa and/or coffee production is based on a sustainable socio-economic and environmental agroforestry system, where trees are grown in combination with taller shades and food/fertilizer trees. Cocoa/coffee trees are integrated into existing forest structure to retain multi-storey canopy and minimize environmental impacts. In case of no trees on site, other trees should be planted to provide shade and create the multi-storey agroforestry effect. 

Diverse tree species with cocoa/coffee as under-storey

These diversify trees species provide the following benefits

1.     Help to control pests;
2.     Provide shades for the cocoa/coffee tree;
3.     Enhance soil fertility;
4.     Improve cocoa/coffee yields;
5.      Provide food, folders and medicine;
6.      Retain habitats for birds, small animals, insects and other pollinators;
7.     Create environmental and micro climate buffering;
8.     Provide multiple revenue streams to alleviate poverty;
9.     Better nutrition from diverse food sources;
10.     Enhance community resilient to food security.

Incorporating crop successions is very important as it improves soil fertility, growth of cocoa/coffee tree, mitigate effects of climate change and provides continues food and farm income. Plants like banana, plantains, papaya, pineapples, avocado, citrus fruits, mangoes, cocoyam and yams can be incorporated into cocoa farms. This mixed cropping system improves farmers’ livelihoods by generating multiple income streams from different crops and enhancing nutrition.

Zero use of pesticide, herbicide and insecticide as they upset the ecosystem by killing pest predators, poisoning animals and humans as well as polluting the water systems and causing further damages to aquatic life. Only biological and traditional methods which are non-toxic, less costly and environmentally friendly should be used. Such as removing and burying cocoa pods affected by black pods diseases amongst other.

Zero use of fertilizer to preserve the soil biota, halt eutrophication of water bodies, reduce cost and farmers dependent on agro-chemical companies.  Improvement of soil health through increase in organic matters, compost, vermicomposting and planting of fertilizers trees is practiced to avert chemical risk. Here there is a switch from external inputs (chemical fertilizers) to internal inputs - compost & manure produced on the farm within its diversified agroforestry system.

Fruit trees and plantains incorporated into cocoa/coffee agroforestry

Increase in organic material through pruning and mulching from a stratified, diverse and densely planted agroforestry is sufficient for an economically viable production. All cocoa shells should be evenly spread out to rot and recycle soil nutrients. Palms can be incorporated into plantations to provide phosphorus; which is an essential nutrient to increase yield and plant health; and reduce heavy metal in cocoa/coffee beans content. Through symbiosis with mycorrhiza, palms are capable of breaking down phosphorous and also bind heavy metals in soils. Leguminous trees such as Albiza Zygia should also be planted to fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to plants around them, and also improves pH in acidic soil. It has a high potential for ameliorating degraded cocoa/coffee soils and reducing soil erosion. Nitrogen is essential in plant health and cocoa/coffee productivity.

Good practices and care such as tree pruning and Phyto-hygiene should be carried out to control pests and diseases. The use of chemical is avoided as organic production rely on alternative solution to soil fertility, pest management and quality assurance that are not detrimental to humans and the environment.

Advantages of organic cocoa and/or coffee production

·         Reduce production cost – The cost of production is greatly reduced as the use of expensive external inputs such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers are eliminated. Local seeds are used instead of expensive hybrid seeds. Compost and manure are used rather than expensive fertilizers. Thereby, making farmer’s less dependent on expensive inputs from agro-chemical companies and input cost.

·         Increase income – Organic cocoa beans are more expensive than conventional cocoa at the international market. The increase price of organic coca beans and low input cost results to higher farm income.

Dr. Nvenakeng Suzanne at Suzy-farms, Buea, Cameroon

        Environmental and health benefit – There is reduction of environmental and health risks as pollution is avoided and there is increase in biodiversity within a multi-storey agroforestry system. The health of farmers is also protected by avoiding hazardous chemicals such as pesticide, herbicides and insecticides.

       Increase in farmer’s sovereignty - Intercropping other food crops and fruit trees in cocoa and/or coffee agroforestry provides farmers with additional food and income. Farmers becomes independents with multiple sources of food to improve nutrition and income streams to alleviate poverty.

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Companion plants for fruit trees/plants

Companion planting for disease resistant and increase harvest 

A fruit tree guild is a technique of supporting a central element (fruit tree) with a group of plants that are highly useful and multifunctional, with mutual beneficial synergies to ensure a disease-resistant fruit tree with maximum harvest and use of space. Guilds provide a roadmap for developing interconnected ecosystems to reduce labor, cost and increase harvest. This companion planting is a holistic approach and an integral part of permaculture which allows 2 or more crops to be planted together in order to maximize productivity (yield per unit area), nutrients intake, support, space usage, pest control, pollination, biodiversity or attract beneficial insects and/or organisms. Companion planting is a traditional practical planting method covering various strategies that increase plants' biodiversity in the soil and the ecosystem. Plants diversity increases insect diversity and decreases the number of pest in the farm. Most large scale farmers practice a single crops planting system called mono-cropping. This may looks easier to water and care for, but it will need lots of chemicals to control the pests. For example, if you plant only tomatoes, hornworms will be attracted to the farm. But if you plant lettuce along with tomatoes, the tomatoes will provide shade to the lettuce while the lettuce will repel the tomato pests. Bingo!!!  

Daffodils as companion plant for fruit tree

Pollination is a very essential element for fruit formation. All fruits trees should have some pollinator plants growing close to the fruit trees such as flowers and herbs that attract insects to aid pollination. An increase in pollination results to an increase in fruits harvest. Below is a list of some of our favorite companion plants for fruit trees/plants: 

1. Nitrogen fixing plants such as groundnuts, beans, cowpeas and soya beans are beneficial to all fruits plants/trees because they fertilizes the soil and could be planted close to any fruits tree/plant. 

 2. Comfrey is also a wonderful companion to fruits trees/plants because it accumulates calcium, phosphorous and potassium that fertilize plants/trees. It is also a good compost activator.  

 3. Chive repels worms, flies, aphids, mites and nematodes.

4. Lemon balm is a great companion plants because it draws bees that help with pollination and consequently increase yield of fruits. 

5. Stinging nettle sprays are rich in silica and calcium that is use to stimulate growth in plants/trees. 

6. Mint and marigold are very good to repel undesirable pests. Plant at the edge where you can control it as it can become invasive.

7. Marjoram is easy to grow and helps to improve the flavor of many fruits.

8. Lemon grass is good as a border crop to frame vegetables and herbs. 

9. Alfalfa improves nitrogen, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium which are beneficial to enrich soils around fruit trees/plants.

10. Red acalypha and Tithonia plants repel nematodes  commonly known as 'panama' in plantains/banana. 

11. Basil improves fruits flavor and repels bugs especially mosquitoes. 

12. Pumpkin keeps away harmful pest.

13. Daffodil or garlic repels wildlife and fruit tree borer.

14. White clover is a good source of nitrogen which is essential for healthy fruit production.

15. Calendula is useful in repelling undesirable insect, but attract beneficial ones. It also protects and enrich soil nutrients.

Melon and Calendula plants 

Below are some few fruits trees that could be planted close to other plants to provide mutual beneficial synergies: 

Fruits trees - Good companions and bad companions 

1. Avocado (African pear):- Soya beans, cowpeas, groundnuts, comfrey
2. Banana or Plantains:- Beans, legumes, papaya, sweet potatoes, legumes, comfrey, flowers. Avoid cassava competition for potassium
3. Citrus e.g orange, tangerine, lemon: - Beans, basil, oregano, clover, peas. Avoid maize, sweet potatoes, cowpea, sorghum
4. Papaya (pawpaw):- Comfrey, beans, flowers, banana sweet potatoes
5. Passion fruits: - Irish potatoes, beets, carrots, spinach, strawberries, onions, leeks, lettuce. Avoid corn, sorghum, okro, cowpea
6. Melon:- Corn, pumpkin, oregano. Avoid peas and beans
7. Apples:- Garlic, leeks, marigold, comfrey, daffodils. Avoid tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, eggplant
8. Mangoes:- Marigold, comfrey, lemon balm, dandelions, daffodils. Avoid fungal prune plants
9. African butter (Plums):- Marigold, comfrey, lemon balm, dandelions, daffodils
10. Grapes:- Basil, beans, oregano, clover, peas. Avoid garlic and cabbage
11. Pomegranate:- Basil, thyme and flowers. Avoid fennel, celery, eggplant
12. Apricot:- Chives, garlic, leeks, comfrey, basil, daffodils. Avoid pepper, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant
13. Coffee / cocoa:- Potatoes, kale, beans, coconuts. Avoid pumpkin, carrots, cucumber
14. Kolanut / Guava:-  Beans, peas, marigold
15. Kiwi:- Carrots, spinach. Avoid eggplant
16. Figs:- Dandelions, marigold, lemon balm. Avoid eggplant
17. Pineapples:- Daffodils, clover, chives, garlic
18. Tea:- Beans, potatoes, peas. Avoid walnut

Typical fruit tree guild

Companion planting saves cost on pesticides and fertilizers because pests are greatly reduced and the soil is fertilized. I grew up harvesting tons of food from the farm without fertilizers, herbicides nor pesticide applications and I wonder what happens now!!! Have you ever wonder why maize harvested from a maize/beans farm is tastier than that harvested from only maize farm? Try companion cropping and experience harvesting healthier fruits at very low cost. Let’s embrace traditional planting methods and save our soil, water systems and our health. We live just ones, don’t mess it up with unhealthy food. 

Follow this links to learn more about improving the biodiversity of your farm, reducing maintenance, and increasing yield through permaculture. If you wish to live the change, then click here

Learn more about pollinators here

Remember to try your own experiments and share your experience with us. Create your own fruit tree guilds even in your garden or backyard and feedback. Let’s know what works for you. Let’s do it…!

1. Make a list of what you need in your own garden 

2. List out all the elements you’ll need to meet the above needs.

3. Brainstorm the needs and benefits of each element, and note down how they can benefit from each other.

4. Place the elements in a way that maximize the beneficial relationships among them.

5. Share your experiences with us, we would love to hear from you.

Do you have any question about companion planting?

Write them out in the comment section, because I’d love to answer them below....

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