Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa ...Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.展开更多
This study assessed the contribution of climate projections to improving rainfall information for cocoa crops in the central and southern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Particular attention was paid to fourteen local...This study assessed the contribution of climate projections to improving rainfall information for cocoa crops in the central and southern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Particular attention was paid to fourteen localities in these two climatic zones. Simulation data were obtained from the CORDEX ensemble and observation data from CHIRPS. They cover the period 1991-2005 for the reference period and the future period from 2021 to 2050 for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. In addition, the study was based on the water requirements necessary during the critical phase of the cocoa tree (the flowering phase) for a good yield from the cocoa production chain on the one hand, and on a selection of three climate indices CDD, CWD and r95PTOT to study their spatio-temporal changes over two future periods 2021-2035 (near future) and 2036-2050 (medium-term) on the other. These climatic indices influence cocoa cultivation and their use in studies of climatic impacts on agriculture is of prime importance. The analysis of their spatio-temporal changes in this work also contributes to providing climate services based on rainfall, to which cocoa crops are highly sensitive. Our results show that the CDD and CWD indices vary from one region to another depending on latitude. For the fourteen localities studied, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) could increase between now and 2050, while the number of consecutive wet days (CWD) could decrease over the period 2021-2035 and then increase over the period 2036-2050. The localities of Tabou, Aboisso and San-Pedro record high numbers of CDD index and CWD index for both projection scenarios. In comparison with the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, these results show that the RCP8.5 scenarios are having an impact on cocoa growing in Côte d’Ivoire.展开更多
An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farme...An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.展开更多
A Streptomyces cameroonensis based bioformulation (SCaB) has been developed and shown to be stable and effective in controlling the early proliferation of P. megakarya and promoting the growth of cocoa seedlings in nu...A Streptomyces cameroonensis based bioformulation (SCaB) has been developed and shown to be stable and effective in controlling the early proliferation of P. megakarya and promoting the growth of cocoa seedlings in nursery. This study was carried out to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with the interaction of SCaB, cocoa seedlings, and the pathogen during the early stages of seedling growth in the nursery. For this purpose, seedling treatment with 10% W/W SCaB under greenhouse conditions evaluated SCaB’s capacity to stimulate the defense mechanisms in cocoa. Agronomic growth parameters and the level of induction of defense-associated compounds were analyzed. Real-time (rt) PCR was used to assess the level of expression of defense genes. Here, we showed that the application of SCaB as a seedling treatment enhanced the growth of cocoa seedlings in the nursery by an average of 15.6% after 30 days of growth and led to an average reduction in disease severity of 64% when challenged with P. megakarya. The latter led to an increased synthesis of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, chitinases, peroxidases, and β-1,3-glucanases and an induced up-regulation of TcChiB, TcGlu-1, TcPer-1, and TcMYBPA genes. This research provides a basis for the optimization of beneficial microorganisms as a viable alternative to chemical fungicides used in disease suppression.展开更多
In the particular context of climate change in Côte d’Ivoire and the vulnerability of farmers to its effects, one of the major issues is how these changes could impact cocoa yields of cocoa production areas....In the particular context of climate change in Côte d’Ivoire and the vulnerability of farmers to its effects, one of the major issues is how these changes could impact cocoa yields of cocoa production areas. Thus, the objective of this study is to sustainably increase the resilience of all cocoa farming stakeholders to the impacts of climate change. The study was carried out in the central and southern areas of Côte d’Ivoire with a focus on eleven localities that have many communities of cocoa producers and a humid climate. The rainfall and temperature observation data using come from the CRU, they cover the historical period from 1971 to 2000 at 0.5<sup>o</sup> × 0.5<sup>o</sup> horizontal scale. As for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, they come from the CORDEX database and cover the 2021-2050 period. The methodology is based on the calculation of climatic indices sensitive to cocoa cultivation which are the number of consecutive dry days (CDD), the number of consecutive wet days (CWD), the amount of rain during the rainy season and the maximum temperature above 33℃. The results show that for all the localities studied, indices such as CDD and CWD could experience an increase. In addition, the total amount of rain during the long rainy season (April to June) is calculated on the basis of the threshold of 700 mm representing the minimum annual precipitation during the rainy season necessary for good growth of the cocoa tree. It reveals that for the two scenarios the cumulative rainfall will all be greater than 700 mm. Regarding temperatures, the central and southern areas could have a low number of hot days (temperature greater than or equal to 33℃ which is the tolerable threshold for cocoa cultivation). The eleven localities, therefore, remain favorable areas for cocoa cultivation in terms of climatic conditions based on temperature and rainfall, despite the regional dimension of the effects of climate change and the associated constraints.展开更多
This study investigates the dynamic relationships between the money supply (M2) and key commodity prices (Cocoa, Gold, and Crude) in the context of Ghana. Utilizing Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) analysis, we an...This study investigates the dynamic relationships between the money supply (M2) and key commodity prices (Cocoa, Gold, and Crude) in the context of Ghana. Utilizing Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) analysis, we analyze the short-term and long-term Granger causality relationships among these variables, aiming to shed light on the potential linkages between monetary policy and commodity markets. The analysis covers the period from December 1999 to April 2023, using lag structures of 1 and 8 to capture both short-term and more enduring effects. Our findings reveal significant Granger causality relationships between the money supply and various commodities, with nuanced patterns emerging across different lags. In the short-run, our results suggest bidirectional causal relationships between COCOA and M2, CRUDE and M2, and GOLD and M2. Additionally, M2 Granger causes changes in COCOA, CRUDE, and GOLD. However, the causal relationship between COCOA and GOLD appears to be unidirectional, with COCOA not significantly Granger causing changes in GOLD. The short-term findings highlight the intricate interplay between monetary policy and commodity markets. In the long-run (lag 8), our analysis unveils robust Granger causality relationships between the variables. Past values of COCOA, CRUDE, and GOLD Granger cause changes in M2, indicating a notable influence of commodity markets on the money supply. Similarly, M2 Granger causes changes in CRUDE and GOLD. Notably, the findings underscore a more comprehensive and intertwined relationship between monetary policy and commodity prices in the long-run. Based on these results, we derive several policy implications. Policymakers should carefully consider the potential impact of monetary policy decisions, such as quantitative easing, on commodity markets and price dynamics. Measures to stabilize commodity prices, promote export diversification, manage inflation expectations, and enhance economic resilience are recommended. Additionally, effective data monitoring, international collaboration, and proactive risk management strategies are essential components for navigating the complex interactions between monetary policy and commodity markets. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between monetary policy and commodity prices in Ghana, offering insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable economic growth and stability. Further research can delve into the mechanisms underlying these relationships and explore their broader implications for trade balances, economic performance, and policy formulation.展开更多
Climate variability impacts on cocoa production are evaluated for the first time using 31 years (1979-2010) of data from SODEXAM (climate ground- based observations) and the ex-CAISTAB in three main cocoa production r...Climate variability impacts on cocoa production are evaluated for the first time using 31 years (1979-2010) of data from SODEXAM (climate ground- based observations) and the ex-CAISTAB in three main cocoa production regions (Goh, Marahoué, and Haut-Sassandra) in the west-central part of Cote d’Ivoire. The work is a contribution to improving the quality of climate services dedicated to cocoa cultivation to ensure producers’ income and improve the yield of the production in the west-central part of Cote d’Ivoire. The results show that cocoa production is affected by the changes and variability in climate conditions (i.e. rainfall and temperature). In the Goh region, the increase in cocoa production seems to be mostly related to the augmentation of rainfall amount while in Marahoué, the increase in temperature is identified to have a more significant impact. Over the Haut-Sassandra region, both temperature and rainfall seem to have a considerable effect on the changes in cocoa production. The analysis based on linear regression by least-squares fit shows two characteristic modes (low and high-frequency variability) in the relationships between cocoa production and meteorological conditions suggesting a strong temporal signal impact related to the changes in the emblazoned surfaces. This leads to an important impact of the short-term variations of climate in cocoa production whereas, the influence of the long-term variability in climate on the cocoa yield seems marginal.展开更多
An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farme...An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.展开更多
The world’s production of cocoa highly has grown since 1960.In West Africa,the production reached about 3,000,000 tons in 2012.More than 50%of the world’s production of cocoa comes nowadays from Côte d’Ivoire ...The world’s production of cocoa highly has grown since 1960.In West Africa,the production reached about 3,000,000 tons in 2012.More than 50%of the world’s production of cocoa comes nowadays from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire is the biggest producer.After harvesting,the empty shells,considered as non-useful wastes,are abandoned in the fields where they become a source of pollution.That yields millions of tons of biomass that can be converted into charcoal,instead of being sources of pollution.In the present work,the drying kinetics of the empty wet shells were studied.Then,charcoal production by pyrolysis of those empty shells of cocoa pods was performed,using a carbonisation stove fitted with a chimney.The study showed that the empty shells have a high moisture content.The different phases of the drying were observed.The study compared the drying rates and the diffusion coefficients of a small sample and a big sample.Two experiences of carbonisation of the empty shells were successfully carried out.For the first experiment,the pyrolysis temperatures were recorded and the charcoal mass efficiency calculated.For the second experiment,the temperatures were higher and the result was colored charcoals.The colorations disappeared after some hours.展开更多
The role of cocoa systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation has increased substantially because of their capability to trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and deposited in the cocoa trees as carbon. Dev...The role of cocoa systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation has increased substantially because of their capability to trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and deposited in the cocoa trees as carbon. Development of aboveground biomass (AGB) models for cocoa plantations is crucial for accurate estimation of carbon stocks in the cocoa systems, however, allometric models for estimating AGB for cocoa plantations remain a challenge for cocoa producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa especially Ghana. The aim of this study is to develop allometric model that can be used for the estimation of AGB for cocoa plantations in Ghana, as well as West Africa. Destructive sampling was carried out on 110 cocoa trees obtained from the cocoa rehabilitation exercise for the development of the allometric models. Diameter at breast height (D), total tree height (H) and wood density (ρ) were used as predictors to develop seven models. The best model was selected based on coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), index of agreement (I<sub>A</sub>), root mean squared error (RMSE), bias (E%), mean absolute error (MAE) and corrected akaike information criterion (AIC<sub>C</sub>) and percentage relative standard error (PRSE) of the estimated parameters. The selected model, which was the one with the predictors D and ρ, was given as;AGB = 0.7217ρ(D<sup>2</sup>)<sup>0.921</sup>. It was compared with the Yuliasmara et al. (2009) cocoa model using equivalence test and paired sample t-test. The two models were found to be equivalent within ±10% of their mean predictions (p < 0.0001) for one-tailed tests for both lower and upper limits, while the paired sample t-test rejected the null hypothesis with mean difference of 14.16 kg between the two models. This study is significant because it has provided a model to estimate AGB for the cocoa plantations in Ghana which is very important for the Ghana Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme and also can be used by other West African cocoa producing countries.展开更多
Looking of finding an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers to increase yields of cassava (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Manihot esculenta</span>...Looking of finding an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers to increase yields of cassava (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Manihot esculenta</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">), trials were carried out in the Lamto zone in central Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, the effects of compost and ash from cocoa shell and NPK were tested on the agronomic parameters of cassava. The trial was conducted for two years with four varieties of cassava: </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Yacé</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Alleda agba</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Six mois</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, grown on elementary plots treated with one of these fertilizers. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with three replicates. Analysis of the results showed that the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Six</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">mois</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety gave the longest stems (131,</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">67 cm) with the cocoa shell compost. The </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety, on the other hand, gave the largest diameter of the stem base (21.56 mm), a higher number of leaves (77.30) and a large wingspan (136</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">89 cm) with cocoa shell compost. The leaves developed by the plants of this variety were wider (19.30 cm) and longer (17.96 cm) with cocoa shell compost. Also, this </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety treated with shell compost yielded a high number of tuberized roots (5.11), high average weight per plant (5.83 kg/plant) and higher yield (58.29 t/ha). This compost of cocoa shell has also allowed a better conservation of the cultivated soils quality.展开更多
Large areas of the indigenous tropical forests in the southwestern part of Nigeria are being converted into agricultural lands and this has been reported to have serious implications for biodiversity and the environme...Large areas of the indigenous tropical forests in the southwestern part of Nigeria are being converted into agricultural lands and this has been reported to have serious implications for biodiversity and the environment. Cocoa based agroforestry is one of the common agricultural practices in this region and comparative information on the carbon storage capacity of the cocoa agroforests is generally lacking. In this study the above-ground carbon storage and partitioning in a protected primary forest were evaluated and compared with those of the two categories of cocoa agroforests (sparse and dense) identified in the area. Above-ground biomass accumulation and carbon stock varied significantly with land use type, with the primary rainforest having the highest values and sparse cocoa agroforests having the lowest. A reduction in above-ground carbon stock of 89.82% and 71.20% was observed 10 years after conversion of tropical rainforest to sparse and dense cocoa agroforests respectively.展开更多
Adoption of recommended technologies as a package is the prelude to increase cocoa productivity per unit area. This is due to the interactive benefits of individual technologies which have been recommended by the Coco...Adoption of recommended technologies as a package is the prelude to increase cocoa productivity per unit area. This is due to the interactive benefits of individual technologies which have been recommended by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). However, many surveys among cocoa farmers have reported low adoption of technologies resulting in low productivity of cocoa with an average of 450 kg/ha among small holder cocoa farmers in Ghana. The current study investigates the adoption behavior of some cocoa farmers belonging to some self help farmer associations in the Eastern Region who are being monitored by CRIG since 2011. Primary data was collected from 131 respondents using questionnaires to interview farmers between 2013 and 2015. The results showed that adoption of recommended cocoa technologies as a package was still low. Respondents, however, identified a number of challenges including high cost of inputs, lack of finance and access to credit, high cost of labour and old age as some factors hampering composite adoption of the full CRIG technologies. It is recommended that small-scale cocoa farmers need a sustainable and convenient microfinance that can motivate and help them afford the cost associated with the full package of technologies. Farmers’ savings culture should also be nurtured to enhance their financial capabilities and investment in the cocoa farm.展开更多
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and presents a unique scenario for the food and agriculture industry, because there is no food safety legislation. The application of Good Agricultural Practices ...Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and presents a unique scenario for the food and agriculture industry, because there is no food safety legislation. The application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) leads to improvements of quality, safety and sustainability of agricultural products. The purpose of the study was to assess the status of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in cocoa and coffee farms in Northern Haiti. A general survey captured information about the farmer and the farm, and an audit checklist was used to assess compliance to GAPs. A total of 11 farms (n = 11) were audited, of which 7 were cocoa farms (64%) and 4 were coffee farms (34%) in the regions of Dondon, Limonade and Milot. Average overall audit scores for coffee farms (73%) were higher than for cocoa farms (55%). Farms affiliated with a cooperative scored higher (78%) than those that were not part of a cooperative (55%). The sections of the survey on “Practices related to premises and production site”, and the “use of agricultural inputs and chemicals” received the lowest scores but were confined to the cocoa farms. “Record keeping” plus “distribution, transportation, and traceability” were cause for concern with both the cocoa and coffee farms. Critical non-conformances included the access of livestock animals and domestic pets to processing and storage areas, the lack of control in the application of agricultural chemicals, a lack of safeguards on equipment and elevated surfaces, and washing of fresh cocoa beans to remove the mucilage with water that had not been treated or tested for potability. The root cause of the non-conformances, regardless of the commodity, was either related to poor physical and organizational infrastructures, or to a lack of technical training.展开更多
Objective The influence of cocoa flavanols(CFs)on cognitive functions in human has been investigated in some clinical trials,but the results are inconclusive.We conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis of rand...Objective The influence of cocoa flavanols(CFs)on cognitive functions in human has been investigated in some clinical trials,but the results are inconclusive.We conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)to figure out whether CFs intervention have a positive effect on cognitive functions.Methods A comprehensive literature search of articles published until June 2019 was performed in PubMed,Cochrane Library,Medline,and Web of Science.Weighted mean difference(WMD)and 95%confidence interval(95%CI)were calculated to reflect the size of the combined effect.Random effect models were used for all analyses.Results A total of 9 RCT studies were finally enrolled in this meta-analysis.CFs has no notable effect on Trail Making Test-A(TMT-A)(WMD:-5.75s,95%CI:-16.71-5.21),which reflects the shifting subdomain of executive function and global executive function.CFs has no significant effect on Trail Making Test-B(TMT-B)(WMD:-11.32s,95%CI:-26.14-3.50),which reflects another specific aspect of the shifting subdomain.Gross cognitive changed as measured by mini mental state examination(MMSE)which consists of a series of items covering cognitive functions except for the executive function domain,but significantly associated with composite z score of several subdomains tests of executive function(WSD:0.40s,95%CI:0.29-0.46).Conclusion This study suggests CFs may have a positive effect on cognitive function,especially executive function.However,large scale and high quality RCTs are needed to further confirm/refute this conclusion.展开更多
Production of cocoa butter replacer (CBR) from tea seed oil through common modification methods of oils (dry fractionation, partial hydrogenation, chemical and enzymatic interesterification) was evaluated. Some physic...Production of cocoa butter replacer (CBR) from tea seed oil through common modification methods of oils (dry fractionation, partial hydrogenation, chemical and enzymatic interesterification) was evaluated. Some physico-chemical properties (iodine, saponification, acid and peroxide values) and fatty acid composition (FAC) of modified samples were analyzed and compared with a reference cocoa butter (CB). Solid and liquid fractions for large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (approx. 80%) and thereby lower iodine values (81 - 85 gI2/100g) than that of CB (37% and 34 gI2/100 g, respectively), are not suitable as CBR. Among all ratios of chemically and enzaymatically interesterified oil blends (20%, 25% and 30% of hydrogenated tea seed oil with 80%, 75% and 70% of tea seed oil/liquid fraction/solid fraction), the samples with ratio of 30:70 from both chemical and enzymatic interesterification had FAC and iodine value closer to that of CB. A comparision between chemically and enzymatically interesterified samples (CISs and EISs, respectively), in terms of solid fat content (SFC) indicated that although the SFC values in EIS were much lower than that of CB, but the thermal behavior of this sample is comprable to CB at 20℃- 30℃ (sharp melting point of CB).展开更多
Globally,cocoa is famous for the production of chocolates and beverages.However,it also serves as a source of raw material for the manufacturing of high-quality cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Due to its high de...Globally,cocoa is famous for the production of chocolates and beverages.However,it also serves as a source of raw material for the manufacturing of high-quality cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Due to its high demand,cocoa is regarded as a major commodity for poverty alleviation in deprived cocoa farming communities. Government has therefore instigated relevant measures to address issues facing the sector by investing in extension programs. These programs act as information dissemination tools for teaching modern farming technologies and enhancing learning among farmers. This study highlighted the effects of the Cocoa Life Project (CLP) by Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) International on farm productivity and income of 200 cocoa farmers in three districts of the Eastern Region,Ghana. Regression on covariates,Heckman’s treatment effects model,and propensity scores were used to test the robustness of the estimates. A positive association between extension program participation,farm productivity,and household income was discovered. Specifically,after correcting for selection bias,the estimated results of the Heckman’s model showed that the extension program significantly increased participating farmers’ cocoa yield by 14.3%. The effects on total farm income showed a significant increase of 25.1 and 42.9%,respectively from regression on propensity scores and the Heckman’s model. Across all three models,program participation led to an increase in total household income by 46.1,31.7,and 69.3%,respectively. Other variables such as farming characteristics,institutional and demographic factors affected farmers’ income,depending on the estimation method used. This study reiterated the supporting role played by extension programs in enhancing cocoa production and increasing household income in Ghana. Conclusively,government and development partners should invest in extension programs by providing enough logistics,training qualified agents,and creating a conducive atmosphere to support learning and technology adoption.展开更多
A comparative study was carried out to determine the most suitable substrate for breeding of midges (Forcipomyia spp.) and the implications for pollination and yield in a typical cocoa production system in the forest ...A comparative study was carried out to determine the most suitable substrate for breeding of midges (Forcipomyia spp.) and the implications for pollination and yield in a typical cocoa production system in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. For the field experiment, the typically available substrates in cocoa farms which were used as the treatments under cocoa trees were: 1) rotten cocoa leaf litter;2) rotten cocoa pod husks;and 3) rotten banana pseudostem. The untreated cocoa trees served as control. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For the laboratory experiment, the design was completely randomized design with four replications. The objective was to determine which substrate best supported breeding of the midges. The rotten banana pseudostem substrate recorded the highest population (7680) of Forcipomyia spp. after 56 days of observation. The cocoa pod husk and cocoa leaf litter recorded populations of 5226 and 1920, respectively. Similar observations were recorded in the level of pollination of the cocoa trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (95.78%), cocoa pod husks (89.05%) and cocoa leaf litter (68.42%). Application of all substrates to the cocoa tree resulted in a 77% mean reduction in flower abortion as compared to the control. Fruit abortion, on the other hand, was significantly greater in trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (73.7%) and rotten cocoa pod husks (71.3%) than in trees treated with rotten cocoa leaf litter (54.3%). Application of banana substrate explained 88% of the variation in cherelle production (fruit set) whereas cocoa pod husks and cocoa leaf litter accounted for 71% and 94%, respectively, of the variation in cherelle production. The study concluded that although cocoa leaf litter resulted in average increases in midges population and subsequently not too high levels of pollination, there was a significantly higher number of set fruits retained which implied high cocoa pod yields. Consequently, in accordance with the observed trend cocoa leaf litter should be considered as the most appropriate substrate for midges activity in cocoa for high yields.展开更多
文摘Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.
文摘This study assessed the contribution of climate projections to improving rainfall information for cocoa crops in the central and southern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Particular attention was paid to fourteen localities in these two climatic zones. Simulation data were obtained from the CORDEX ensemble and observation data from CHIRPS. They cover the period 1991-2005 for the reference period and the future period from 2021 to 2050 for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. In addition, the study was based on the water requirements necessary during the critical phase of the cocoa tree (the flowering phase) for a good yield from the cocoa production chain on the one hand, and on a selection of three climate indices CDD, CWD and r95PTOT to study their spatio-temporal changes over two future periods 2021-2035 (near future) and 2036-2050 (medium-term) on the other. These climatic indices influence cocoa cultivation and their use in studies of climatic impacts on agriculture is of prime importance. The analysis of their spatio-temporal changes in this work also contributes to providing climate services based on rainfall, to which cocoa crops are highly sensitive. Our results show that the CDD and CWD indices vary from one region to another depending on latitude. For the fourteen localities studied, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) could increase between now and 2050, while the number of consecutive wet days (CWD) could decrease over the period 2021-2035 and then increase over the period 2036-2050. The localities of Tabou, Aboisso and San-Pedro record high numbers of CDD index and CWD index for both projection scenarios. In comparison with the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, these results show that the RCP8.5 scenarios are having an impact on cocoa growing in Côte d’Ivoire.
文摘An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.
文摘A Streptomyces cameroonensis based bioformulation (SCaB) has been developed and shown to be stable and effective in controlling the early proliferation of P. megakarya and promoting the growth of cocoa seedlings in nursery. This study was carried out to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with the interaction of SCaB, cocoa seedlings, and the pathogen during the early stages of seedling growth in the nursery. For this purpose, seedling treatment with 10% W/W SCaB under greenhouse conditions evaluated SCaB’s capacity to stimulate the defense mechanisms in cocoa. Agronomic growth parameters and the level of induction of defense-associated compounds were analyzed. Real-time (rt) PCR was used to assess the level of expression of defense genes. Here, we showed that the application of SCaB as a seedling treatment enhanced the growth of cocoa seedlings in the nursery by an average of 15.6% after 30 days of growth and led to an average reduction in disease severity of 64% when challenged with P. megakarya. The latter led to an increased synthesis of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, chitinases, peroxidases, and β-1,3-glucanases and an induced up-regulation of TcChiB, TcGlu-1, TcPer-1, and TcMYBPA genes. This research provides a basis for the optimization of beneficial microorganisms as a viable alternative to chemical fungicides used in disease suppression.
文摘In the particular context of climate change in Côte d’Ivoire and the vulnerability of farmers to its effects, one of the major issues is how these changes could impact cocoa yields of cocoa production areas. Thus, the objective of this study is to sustainably increase the resilience of all cocoa farming stakeholders to the impacts of climate change. The study was carried out in the central and southern areas of Côte d’Ivoire with a focus on eleven localities that have many communities of cocoa producers and a humid climate. The rainfall and temperature observation data using come from the CRU, they cover the historical period from 1971 to 2000 at 0.5<sup>o</sup> × 0.5<sup>o</sup> horizontal scale. As for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, they come from the CORDEX database and cover the 2021-2050 period. The methodology is based on the calculation of climatic indices sensitive to cocoa cultivation which are the number of consecutive dry days (CDD), the number of consecutive wet days (CWD), the amount of rain during the rainy season and the maximum temperature above 33℃. The results show that for all the localities studied, indices such as CDD and CWD could experience an increase. In addition, the total amount of rain during the long rainy season (April to June) is calculated on the basis of the threshold of 700 mm representing the minimum annual precipitation during the rainy season necessary for good growth of the cocoa tree. It reveals that for the two scenarios the cumulative rainfall will all be greater than 700 mm. Regarding temperatures, the central and southern areas could have a low number of hot days (temperature greater than or equal to 33℃ which is the tolerable threshold for cocoa cultivation). The eleven localities, therefore, remain favorable areas for cocoa cultivation in terms of climatic conditions based on temperature and rainfall, despite the regional dimension of the effects of climate change and the associated constraints.
文摘This study investigates the dynamic relationships between the money supply (M2) and key commodity prices (Cocoa, Gold, and Crude) in the context of Ghana. Utilizing Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) analysis, we analyze the short-term and long-term Granger causality relationships among these variables, aiming to shed light on the potential linkages between monetary policy and commodity markets. The analysis covers the period from December 1999 to April 2023, using lag structures of 1 and 8 to capture both short-term and more enduring effects. Our findings reveal significant Granger causality relationships between the money supply and various commodities, with nuanced patterns emerging across different lags. In the short-run, our results suggest bidirectional causal relationships between COCOA and M2, CRUDE and M2, and GOLD and M2. Additionally, M2 Granger causes changes in COCOA, CRUDE, and GOLD. However, the causal relationship between COCOA and GOLD appears to be unidirectional, with COCOA not significantly Granger causing changes in GOLD. The short-term findings highlight the intricate interplay between monetary policy and commodity markets. In the long-run (lag 8), our analysis unveils robust Granger causality relationships between the variables. Past values of COCOA, CRUDE, and GOLD Granger cause changes in M2, indicating a notable influence of commodity markets on the money supply. Similarly, M2 Granger causes changes in CRUDE and GOLD. Notably, the findings underscore a more comprehensive and intertwined relationship between monetary policy and commodity prices in the long-run. Based on these results, we derive several policy implications. Policymakers should carefully consider the potential impact of monetary policy decisions, such as quantitative easing, on commodity markets and price dynamics. Measures to stabilize commodity prices, promote export diversification, manage inflation expectations, and enhance economic resilience are recommended. Additionally, effective data monitoring, international collaboration, and proactive risk management strategies are essential components for navigating the complex interactions between monetary policy and commodity markets. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between monetary policy and commodity prices in Ghana, offering insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable economic growth and stability. Further research can delve into the mechanisms underlying these relationships and explore their broader implications for trade balances, economic performance, and policy formulation.
文摘Climate variability impacts on cocoa production are evaluated for the first time using 31 years (1979-2010) of data from SODEXAM (climate ground- based observations) and the ex-CAISTAB in three main cocoa production regions (Goh, Marahoué, and Haut-Sassandra) in the west-central part of Cote d’Ivoire. The work is a contribution to improving the quality of climate services dedicated to cocoa cultivation to ensure producers’ income and improve the yield of the production in the west-central part of Cote d’Ivoire. The results show that cocoa production is affected by the changes and variability in climate conditions (i.e. rainfall and temperature). In the Goh region, the increase in cocoa production seems to be mostly related to the augmentation of rainfall amount while in Marahoué, the increase in temperature is identified to have a more significant impact. Over the Haut-Sassandra region, both temperature and rainfall seem to have a considerable effect on the changes in cocoa production. The analysis based on linear regression by least-squares fit shows two characteristic modes (low and high-frequency variability) in the relationships between cocoa production and meteorological conditions suggesting a strong temporal signal impact related to the changes in the emblazoned surfaces. This leads to an important impact of the short-term variations of climate in cocoa production whereas, the influence of the long-term variability in climate on the cocoa yield seems marginal.
文摘An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.
基金ASCAD(l’Académie des Sciences,des Cultures,des Arts d’Afrique et de ses Diasporas)for its support to his renewable energy program。
文摘The world’s production of cocoa highly has grown since 1960.In West Africa,the production reached about 3,000,000 tons in 2012.More than 50%of the world’s production of cocoa comes nowadays from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire is the biggest producer.After harvesting,the empty shells,considered as non-useful wastes,are abandoned in the fields where they become a source of pollution.That yields millions of tons of biomass that can be converted into charcoal,instead of being sources of pollution.In the present work,the drying kinetics of the empty wet shells were studied.Then,charcoal production by pyrolysis of those empty shells of cocoa pods was performed,using a carbonisation stove fitted with a chimney.The study showed that the empty shells have a high moisture content.The different phases of the drying were observed.The study compared the drying rates and the diffusion coefficients of a small sample and a big sample.Two experiences of carbonisation of the empty shells were successfully carried out.For the first experiment,the pyrolysis temperatures were recorded and the charcoal mass efficiency calculated.For the second experiment,the temperatures were higher and the result was colored charcoals.The colorations disappeared after some hours.
文摘The role of cocoa systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation has increased substantially because of their capability to trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and deposited in the cocoa trees as carbon. Development of aboveground biomass (AGB) models for cocoa plantations is crucial for accurate estimation of carbon stocks in the cocoa systems, however, allometric models for estimating AGB for cocoa plantations remain a challenge for cocoa producing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa especially Ghana. The aim of this study is to develop allometric model that can be used for the estimation of AGB for cocoa plantations in Ghana, as well as West Africa. Destructive sampling was carried out on 110 cocoa trees obtained from the cocoa rehabilitation exercise for the development of the allometric models. Diameter at breast height (D), total tree height (H) and wood density (ρ) were used as predictors to develop seven models. The best model was selected based on coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), index of agreement (I<sub>A</sub>), root mean squared error (RMSE), bias (E%), mean absolute error (MAE) and corrected akaike information criterion (AIC<sub>C</sub>) and percentage relative standard error (PRSE) of the estimated parameters. The selected model, which was the one with the predictors D and ρ, was given as;AGB = 0.7217ρ(D<sup>2</sup>)<sup>0.921</sup>. It was compared with the Yuliasmara et al. (2009) cocoa model using equivalence test and paired sample t-test. The two models were found to be equivalent within ±10% of their mean predictions (p < 0.0001) for one-tailed tests for both lower and upper limits, while the paired sample t-test rejected the null hypothesis with mean difference of 14.16 kg between the two models. This study is significant because it has provided a model to estimate AGB for the cocoa plantations in Ghana which is very important for the Ghana Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme and also can be used by other West African cocoa producing countries.
文摘Looking of finding an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers to increase yields of cassava (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Manihot esculenta</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">), trials were carried out in the Lamto zone in central Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, the effects of compost and ash from cocoa shell and NPK were tested on the agronomic parameters of cassava. The trial was conducted for two years with four varieties of cassava: </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Yacé</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Alleda agba</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Six mois</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> and </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">, grown on elementary plots treated with one of these fertilizers. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with three replicates. Analysis of the results showed that the </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Six</span></i> <i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">mois</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety gave the longest stems (131,</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">67 cm) with the cocoa shell compost. The </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety, on the other hand, gave the largest diameter of the stem base (21.56 mm), a higher number of leaves (77.30) and a large wingspan (136</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">89 cm) with cocoa shell compost. The leaves developed by the plants of this variety were wider (19.30 cm) and longer (17.96 cm) with cocoa shell compost. Also, this </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;">Bonoua</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"> variety treated with shell compost yielded a high number of tuberized roots (5.11), high average weight per plant (5.83 kg/plant) and higher yield (58.29 t/ha). This compost of cocoa shell has also allowed a better conservation of the cultivated soils quality.
文摘Large areas of the indigenous tropical forests in the southwestern part of Nigeria are being converted into agricultural lands and this has been reported to have serious implications for biodiversity and the environment. Cocoa based agroforestry is one of the common agricultural practices in this region and comparative information on the carbon storage capacity of the cocoa agroforests is generally lacking. In this study the above-ground carbon storage and partitioning in a protected primary forest were evaluated and compared with those of the two categories of cocoa agroforests (sparse and dense) identified in the area. Above-ground biomass accumulation and carbon stock varied significantly with land use type, with the primary rainforest having the highest values and sparse cocoa agroforests having the lowest. A reduction in above-ground carbon stock of 89.82% and 71.20% was observed 10 years after conversion of tropical rainforest to sparse and dense cocoa agroforests respectively.
文摘Adoption of recommended technologies as a package is the prelude to increase cocoa productivity per unit area. This is due to the interactive benefits of individual technologies which have been recommended by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). However, many surveys among cocoa farmers have reported low adoption of technologies resulting in low productivity of cocoa with an average of 450 kg/ha among small holder cocoa farmers in Ghana. The current study investigates the adoption behavior of some cocoa farmers belonging to some self help farmer associations in the Eastern Region who are being monitored by CRIG since 2011. Primary data was collected from 131 respondents using questionnaires to interview farmers between 2013 and 2015. The results showed that adoption of recommended cocoa technologies as a package was still low. Respondents, however, identified a number of challenges including high cost of inputs, lack of finance and access to credit, high cost of labour and old age as some factors hampering composite adoption of the full CRIG technologies. It is recommended that small-scale cocoa farmers need a sustainable and convenient microfinance that can motivate and help them afford the cost associated with the full package of technologies. Farmers’ savings culture should also be nurtured to enhance their financial capabilities and investment in the cocoa farm.
文摘Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and presents a unique scenario for the food and agriculture industry, because there is no food safety legislation. The application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) leads to improvements of quality, safety and sustainability of agricultural products. The purpose of the study was to assess the status of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in cocoa and coffee farms in Northern Haiti. A general survey captured information about the farmer and the farm, and an audit checklist was used to assess compliance to GAPs. A total of 11 farms (n = 11) were audited, of which 7 were cocoa farms (64%) and 4 were coffee farms (34%) in the regions of Dondon, Limonade and Milot. Average overall audit scores for coffee farms (73%) were higher than for cocoa farms (55%). Farms affiliated with a cooperative scored higher (78%) than those that were not part of a cooperative (55%). The sections of the survey on “Practices related to premises and production site”, and the “use of agricultural inputs and chemicals” received the lowest scores but were confined to the cocoa farms. “Record keeping” plus “distribution, transportation, and traceability” were cause for concern with both the cocoa and coffee farms. Critical non-conformances included the access of livestock animals and domestic pets to processing and storage areas, the lack of control in the application of agricultural chemicals, a lack of safeguards on equipment and elevated surfaces, and washing of fresh cocoa beans to remove the mucilage with water that had not been treated or tested for potability. The root cause of the non-conformances, regardless of the commodity, was either related to poor physical and organizational infrastructures, or to a lack of technical training.
文摘Objective The influence of cocoa flavanols(CFs)on cognitive functions in human has been investigated in some clinical trials,but the results are inconclusive.We conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)to figure out whether CFs intervention have a positive effect on cognitive functions.Methods A comprehensive literature search of articles published until June 2019 was performed in PubMed,Cochrane Library,Medline,and Web of Science.Weighted mean difference(WMD)and 95%confidence interval(95%CI)were calculated to reflect the size of the combined effect.Random effect models were used for all analyses.Results A total of 9 RCT studies were finally enrolled in this meta-analysis.CFs has no notable effect on Trail Making Test-A(TMT-A)(WMD:-5.75s,95%CI:-16.71-5.21),which reflects the shifting subdomain of executive function and global executive function.CFs has no significant effect on Trail Making Test-B(TMT-B)(WMD:-11.32s,95%CI:-26.14-3.50),which reflects another specific aspect of the shifting subdomain.Gross cognitive changed as measured by mini mental state examination(MMSE)which consists of a series of items covering cognitive functions except for the executive function domain,but significantly associated with composite z score of several subdomains tests of executive function(WSD:0.40s,95%CI:0.29-0.46).Conclusion This study suggests CFs may have a positive effect on cognitive function,especially executive function.However,large scale and high quality RCTs are needed to further confirm/refute this conclusion.
文摘Production of cocoa butter replacer (CBR) from tea seed oil through common modification methods of oils (dry fractionation, partial hydrogenation, chemical and enzymatic interesterification) was evaluated. Some physico-chemical properties (iodine, saponification, acid and peroxide values) and fatty acid composition (FAC) of modified samples were analyzed and compared with a reference cocoa butter (CB). Solid and liquid fractions for large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (approx. 80%) and thereby lower iodine values (81 - 85 gI2/100g) than that of CB (37% and 34 gI2/100 g, respectively), are not suitable as CBR. Among all ratios of chemically and enzaymatically interesterified oil blends (20%, 25% and 30% of hydrogenated tea seed oil with 80%, 75% and 70% of tea seed oil/liquid fraction/solid fraction), the samples with ratio of 30:70 from both chemical and enzymatic interesterification had FAC and iodine value closer to that of CB. A comparision between chemically and enzymatically interesterified samples (CISs and EISs, respectively), in terms of solid fat content (SFC) indicated that although the SFC values in EIS were much lower than that of CB, but the thermal behavior of this sample is comprable to CB at 20℃- 30℃ (sharp melting point of CB).
基金This research was funded by the Academy–Locality Cooperation Project of Chinese Academy of Engineering (2019-JL-1-5).
文摘Globally,cocoa is famous for the production of chocolates and beverages.However,it also serves as a source of raw material for the manufacturing of high-quality cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Due to its high demand,cocoa is regarded as a major commodity for poverty alleviation in deprived cocoa farming communities. Government has therefore instigated relevant measures to address issues facing the sector by investing in extension programs. These programs act as information dissemination tools for teaching modern farming technologies and enhancing learning among farmers. This study highlighted the effects of the Cocoa Life Project (CLP) by Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) International on farm productivity and income of 200 cocoa farmers in three districts of the Eastern Region,Ghana. Regression on covariates,Heckman’s treatment effects model,and propensity scores were used to test the robustness of the estimates. A positive association between extension program participation,farm productivity,and household income was discovered. Specifically,after correcting for selection bias,the estimated results of the Heckman’s model showed that the extension program significantly increased participating farmers’ cocoa yield by 14.3%. The effects on total farm income showed a significant increase of 25.1 and 42.9%,respectively from regression on propensity scores and the Heckman’s model. Across all three models,program participation led to an increase in total household income by 46.1,31.7,and 69.3%,respectively. Other variables such as farming characteristics,institutional and demographic factors affected farmers’ income,depending on the estimation method used. This study reiterated the supporting role played by extension programs in enhancing cocoa production and increasing household income in Ghana. Conclusively,government and development partners should invest in extension programs by providing enough logistics,training qualified agents,and creating a conducive atmosphere to support learning and technology adoption.
文摘A comparative study was carried out to determine the most suitable substrate for breeding of midges (Forcipomyia spp.) and the implications for pollination and yield in a typical cocoa production system in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. For the field experiment, the typically available substrates in cocoa farms which were used as the treatments under cocoa trees were: 1) rotten cocoa leaf litter;2) rotten cocoa pod husks;and 3) rotten banana pseudostem. The untreated cocoa trees served as control. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For the laboratory experiment, the design was completely randomized design with four replications. The objective was to determine which substrate best supported breeding of the midges. The rotten banana pseudostem substrate recorded the highest population (7680) of Forcipomyia spp. after 56 days of observation. The cocoa pod husk and cocoa leaf litter recorded populations of 5226 and 1920, respectively. Similar observations were recorded in the level of pollination of the cocoa trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (95.78%), cocoa pod husks (89.05%) and cocoa leaf litter (68.42%). Application of all substrates to the cocoa tree resulted in a 77% mean reduction in flower abortion as compared to the control. Fruit abortion, on the other hand, was significantly greater in trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (73.7%) and rotten cocoa pod husks (71.3%) than in trees treated with rotten cocoa leaf litter (54.3%). Application of banana substrate explained 88% of the variation in cherelle production (fruit set) whereas cocoa pod husks and cocoa leaf litter accounted for 71% and 94%, respectively, of the variation in cherelle production. The study concluded that although cocoa leaf litter resulted in average increases in midges population and subsequently not too high levels of pollination, there was a significantly higher number of set fruits retained which implied high cocoa pod yields. Consequently, in accordance with the observed trend cocoa leaf litter should be considered as the most appropriate substrate for midges activity in cocoa for high yields.
