Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability on Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Yields in Meme Division, South West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

An assessment of trends of climate change and variability on cocoa yields from 1975 to 2010 in Meme Division aimed at providing a framework for future adaptation strategies was focused on relating cocoa yield with climatic conditions. Rainfall and temperature data were analyzed by fitting regression lines in an attempt to determine their trend during the study period and possible future projections. The purposive sampling technique was used to select ten villages using a criteria based on the proportion of the population involved in cocoa cultivation. Farm selection was based on age, consistency of sizes and management practices in an attempt to keep the factors affecting cocoa yield constant. Data on cocoa yield, flowering, and pod infestation were obtained through semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using univariate, bivariate and graphical techniques. The results revealed that increased rainfall above 3000mm per annum, decreased cocoa yields by 0.16% per millimeter while increased temperatures of 0.34°C per decade increased cocoa yield. Flowering intensity also varied with seasons and was continuous in some localities, while cocoa black pod infestation increased with rainfall and low temperatures, and vice versa for capsids.

Keywords: climate change and variability, cocoa yields, Meme Division, black pod infestation, capsids

JOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES VOL. 11 No. 1 (2013)