Commercial establishment of papaya intercropping with cocoa [Theobroma cacao] - Asiatic experience

Gliricidia is commonly used as shade trees for cocoa. In a 40 ha commercial planting of cocoa, 86 per cent of the Gliricidia was substituted with papaya, variety Exotica. The papaya provided uniform shade for the immature cocoa and posed no adverse effect to the cocoa with sound agronomic and management practices. The financial returns from sale of papaya fruits and savings from otherwise having to establish and thin the Gliricidia amounted to $1389.00 Malaysia Ringgit per ha for the 24 months of the economic life of the papaya.