PRESENT STATUS OF 'C' SEQUESTRATION IN COCOA PLANTATIONS- A MINI REVIEW

The total area under agroforestry in the world is estimated as one billion ha. The Cocoa crop is cultivated in agroforestry systems together with many tree species and other crop plants on the same plot. Carbon stocks in shaded agroforestry systems with perennial crops—such as coffee, rubber, and cocoa—may vary between 12 and 228 Mg ha−1 and could help to mitigate climate change. The contribution of cocoa for sustainable production and the provision of ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration to abate climate change) at the landscape level has been explored in terms of the dichotomy between promoting intensive cocoa production to free natural forest areas for pure conservation (land-sparing strategy) and promoting mixed, environmentally friendly cocoa agroforestry systems, which may require a larger area due to smaller yields (wildlife-friendly farming strategy) but could reduce deforestation. The disease Cherelle wilt of cocoa can be reduced as it is grown under the shade of forest trees which reduced the input cost and input of agrochemicals into the ecosystem. The inputs like biochar, fertilizers and composted organic manures may be added to increase carbon sequestration. Yield reduction due to shade trees is also discussed but if we consider the yield of shade trees, growing cocoa crops under shade is more beneficial than monoculture