Comparative performance of two crop management sequences in a cocoa estate in São Tomé

The State of São Tomé and Principe derives a large share of its export earnings from cocoa. Current production does not exceed 4, 000 t. Since 1999, following a land redistribution programme, cocoa production has been ensured by smallholders, medium-sized farms, and 6 large agricultural enterprises under private management. Of these, the SOCATOME agricultural company occupies a total area of 2,500 ha. In order to compensate for the low yields observed, it was decided in collaboration with CIAT to carry out a comparison of two crop management sequences between 1997 and 1999. (Résumé d'auteur)