In the heart of Côte d'Ivoire's cocoa plantations, severe heat is wreaking havoc on the world's leading cocoa producer. Christian Andre Yapi, a farmer near Agboville, shares his struggles as traditional shade-providing leaves are no longer enough to protect the precious beans.
\"The beans are turning black and rotting because of the heat,\" Yapi explains. \"They are not growing properly, and the sun is drying them up, causing the pods to fall prematurely.\" This unexpected surge in temperature has forced him to limit his work to the cooler mornings, drastically reducing his expected harvest from a usual tonne to just 300 kilograms this year.
Last year's heavy rains have been replaced by scorching temperatures, especially between January and March, which are critical for cocoa cultivation. A record 41 degrees Celsius was recorded in Dimbrokro in February, significantly higher than the normal 35 to 36 degrees.
It's not just Côte d'Ivoire facing these challenges. Mali's Kayes reached an alarming 48.5 degrees Celsius in April, exacerbating the situation. Agronomist Siaka Kone highlights that prolonged heat stress leads to insufficient water for proper plant growth, preventing the blossoms and subsequent fruit from developing.
The repercussions are profound, as agriculture accounts for a quarter of Côte d'Ivoire's GDP and provides half of all employment. With soil temperatures rising alongside air temperatures, water evaporation increases, further diminishing the viability of cocoa farming in the region.
Reference(s):
Record heat rots cocoa beans threatening Côte d'Ivoire agriculture
cgtn.com
