Posted on 10/02/2011 9:23:02 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Is the world's cocoa supply in danger? That's what a new study from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) suggests, singling out a familiar culprit: Global warming. The findings [see PDF] reveal that annual temperature increases will hamper the crop-production efforts in West Africa, which currently supplies half of the world's chocolate — at least if preventive measures aren't taken. Here's what you should know:
How hot are we talking?
The study, which consulted 19 climate-change models, indicates that a mere two degrees Celcius increase by 2050 will render areas like Ghana and the Ivory Coast too hot to grow cocoa, says The Washington Post. As cocoa trees struggle to obtain enough water, the developmental stages of cocoa pods that house "the prized cocoa bean" — source of the chocolate we know and love — would be disturbed. The effects of a shortage — including a leap in the price of chocolate — could be felt as soon as 2030.
Well, why not just move the cocoa trees elsewhere?
Rachel Cernansky of TreeHugger points out that "the ideal conditions for cocoa-growing will shift to higher altitudes — but most of West Africa is relatively flat, so there is not a lot of land at higher elevation to move to." Plus, clearing forests to pave way for farmland may actually end up "exacerbating climate change even further."
How would a shortage affect the region?
The cocoa trees play an "absolutely critical role" in the region's rural life, says CIAT's Dr. Peter Läderach, who authored the study. Hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers use "their cocoa trees like ATM machines," he says. "They pick some pods and sell them to quickly raise cash for school fees or medical expenses."
What kind of preventive measures can be taken?
Farmers could diversify their crops to "spread the risk" and avoid being overly dependent on cocoa, notes TreeHugger's Cernansky. Other solutions include using shady trees to cool growing areas and developing irrigation systems that aren't exclusively weather-dependent.
This is why Nutella was invented by the Ferrero family. They were confectioners. Hazelnuts were plentiful in certain parts of Italy, while chocolate was getting more expensive.
Interesting article.
http://askville.amazon.com/grow-cocoa-chocolate-plants/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1267051
Where are the agriculturalists and horticulturalists on hybridizing this one??
Chocolate is native to the New World. The word is supposed to come from a Nahautl word (one of the indigenous languages of Mexico).
I have read about cocoa cultivation and the trees require a canopy to grow. So where does this “clearing rain forest” come in?
If it gets warmer then you will be able to grow cocoa in new places.
Like your backyard.
That would be Hawai'i -- and ONLY Hawai'i. Cacao can only be grown in a tropical climate which provides sufficient heat and humidity, at the Equator or within 10 degrees of it.
Because of the sugar shortages and shift in production that sent the chocolate to the troops?
Y'all should know by NOW where MY priorities lie!
Can I ride in your bus??? In the back???
Yes that’s true. I decided to research my own question;)
But we have been creating successful hybrids for centuries. Wonder why no-one has created a cacao variety that could withstand different environs.
Gotta have my Godivas;)
I believe that was the reason. I just remember as a small kid in rural England - right after the war - the GI’s would hand out candy to us.
When chocolate was removed from rationing - it was still in short supply - my siblings and I lined up at the ‘sweet shop’ just to get one bar of Cadburys and we had to share it. It was several years later that I had my first banana!!!!
Makes one appreciate the bounty we have in US grocery stores today.
“Makes one appreciate the bounty we have in US grocery stores today.”
Anything from anywhere in the world. Blows my mind compared to seasonal fruit and veggies only when I was a kid.
Climate Change Foolishness: will rational thought and mental discipline become a costly luxury?
I’m of Hispanic ancestry, from a ranching family and when I was a kid, every time my dad was stationed stateside my brother and I would spent most of the summer on the family ranch near the border. We used to go across to shop for items that weren’t grown in the garden and were cheaper over there, such as spices-and cocoa-and it most certainly didn’t come from Africa.
Maybe we should move the major cocoa production back to the Americas? And maybe the Africans need to grow something that is native to THEIR country to export? Makes sense to me...
“Toblerone will love being able to use locally grown alpine cocoa.”
LOL!
There’s more than 13,000 cocoa plants on north shore of hawaii alone. Which is funny because the processing plant is on another island
WTSHTF, all Freepers are welcome out here at my ‘compound’ cleverly disguised as a Chicken Farm. :)
Putting the finishing touches on the 3rd floor Machine Gun Turret and the moat is just about deep enough to be filled. Concertina wire is strung, Claymore Mines are in place. Perimeter is secure...
The bunker is fully stocked. I have a clean, deep well and a lake across the road. I only ask that people bring their own weapons, ammo, bedding and can openers, LOL! (Looks like your beans are self-opening. Smart! Very Smart...)
“Will rational thought and mental discipline become a costly luxury?”
They appear to be, already!
I don't have any objection to people growing things that are not native to their country--a large proportion of the crops grown in the US are not native to the US--but there may be cases where a plant thrives best in its original habitat.
Cadburys, my favorite!
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