A study looked at cocoa farms in Brazil, Ghana and Indonesia to find the main causes of lower harvests and possible responses. The researchers say cocoa grows best in a narrow temperature range and that 32 degrees Celsius is close to its optimum. They warn yields could fall by as much as 30 percent in the warmest areas compared with cooler sites.
One important factor is pollination. The study reports that improving pollination by hand could raise cocoa yields by 20 percent. The authors suggest innovating effective hand pollination as a short-term response, and they call for more research and support for farmers.
Difficult words
- pollination — the transfer of pollen so plants make fruithand pollination
- yield — the amount of crop a farm producesyields
- optimum — the best or most suitable temperature or condition
- harvest — the act of collecting crops when they are readyharvests
- innovate — to create new methods or ideas for problemsinnovating
- research — careful study to find new information or answers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think hand pollination is a good idea for small farms? Why or why not?
- How could research and support help farmers in warmer areas?
- Have you ever seen a farm or garden where people help plants grow by hand? Describe it.
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