Researchers combined satellite data and machine learning to measure tree cover on cocoa farms across Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, two countries that together produce almost two thirds of the world’s cocoa. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, found that only about five per cent of cocoa is grown on farms with at least 30 per cent shade cover from large trees. The authors estimate that if farms reached the 30 per cent shade target, the additional carbon stored in trees would offset 167 per cent of cocoa-related greenhouse gas emissions in the two countries without reducing production.
Growing cocoa under shade trees brings several benefits: it creates a cooler microclimate, helps soil retain moisture, protects biodiversity and supports midges, the insects that pollinate cocoa flowers. These factors can increase crop resilience to extreme heat and drought and may improve yields over time.
Despite these gains, uptake of agroforestry is low. Experts note practical and economic barriers: planting trees requires time and money, it reduces cocoa area in the short term, and many farmers are tenants who may not receive full benefits when trees mature. Some farmers who adopt agroforestry can provide environmental benefits without compensation. A lead researcher cautioned that too many trees would harm production and said earlier work points to 30–40 per cent shade as optimal. The World Cocoa Foundation reports 43 million tree seedlings have been distributed since 2018; if all reach maturity they would cover about 11 per cent of the region. The study’s machine learning method could help target new plantings and show where agroforestry would bring the most benefit, and researchers urge continued planting.
Difficult words
- agroforestry — farming system combining trees and crops
- shade — area or condition protected from direct sunlightshade cover
- offset — reduce the effect of something harmful
- resilience — ability to recover or resist harm
- tenant — person who rents land or propertytenants
- seedling — young tree recently planted or germinatedseedlings
- midge — small flying insect that pollinates plantsmidges
- machine learning — computer methods that learn from data
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the main benefits and the main costs for a farmer who decides to plant more trees on a cocoa farm? Give reasons.
- How could governments or organisations address the problem that many cocoa farmers are tenants and may not get full benefits from trees?
- The study says increased tree cover could more than offset emissions without reducing production. What challenges might prevent this outcome in practice?
