The number of hardships cacao growers experience can\u2019t be understated. Many aspects, social, economic and environmental, can and do affect the production of the sought-after crop, but shade-grown techniques do promote longevity and resilience, overall, for the industry and the consumers that purchase any chocolate product across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Halloween approaching, and this first part of a series only covers one aspect of sustainable cacao cultivation, it\u2019s good to note that the Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certifications are good indicators of sustainable farming practices of cacao. This is a major piece of advice for consumers or those in charge of purchasing within corporate settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cacao is grown near the equator with major production areas including C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire and Ghana. These areas are threatened by potential temperature increases due to climate change in the coming years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, citing Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaption, and Vulnerability <\/em>report, in a 2014 release, a \u201cmarked reduction in suitable cultivation area\u201d could be seen by 2050\u2014a prediction based on forecast carbon emissions and potential temperature rise due to climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a future with climate change, these areas are set to see higher temperatures and experience drier conditions. But cacao trees thrive on humidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOAA\u2019s 2014 report notes that there is work being done to breed seed stocks that are drought resistant. There is also work in genetic modification for seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On another front, farming practices that include retaining or growing new trees to replace lost rainforests for shade cover can help combat the effects of climate change. Here, the technique can help lower temperature and decrease what\u2019s called evapotranspiration, according to NOAA. The federal agency added that these trees not only provide shade but also protection from things like soil erosion and wind, along with \u201cnutrient-rich leaf litter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another study, \u201cMarginal effects on biodiversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling of transitions from tropical forests to cacao farming systems\u201d: Author\u2019s Elizabeth Obeng and Francisco state, \u201cIn particular, regarding the capacity of different land use systems shaded cacao farming provides better opportunities for carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and biodiversity maintenance than monoculture.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recap:<\/strong> The future of cacao is being threatened by climate change, as well as experiencing major social and economic impacts in the present that do affect the cultivation of cacao, as this series will explore. As for shade-grown cacao, this method has the potential to deflect the effects of climate change and simultaneously sequester carbon for future increases in climate change. This method also produces the potential for better outcomes in things like nutrient cycling and biodiversity maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Halloween candy buyers<\/strong>: Watch for certifications such as the Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The number of hardships cacao growers experience can\u2019t be understated. Many aspects, social, economic and environmental, can and do affect the production of the sought-after crop, but shade-grown techniques do promote longevity and resilience, overall, for the industry and the consumers that purchase any chocolate product across the globe. With Halloween approaching, and this first … <\/p>\n