Why in news
Climate change is stressing rainforests where the highly sensitive cocoa bean grows
Scientists and entrepreneurs are working on ways to make more cocoa that stretch well beyond the tropics
They are researching other ways to grow cocoa or develop cocoa substitutes
Requirements for cocoa tree's growth
Cocoa trees grow best in warm weather around 20 degrees north and south of the equator.
They need abundant rainfall to thrive.
They are sensitive to climate changes that can affect their growth.
Prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0.
Cocoa trees thrive under the canopy of larger trees, as they need some shade.
Best grown at low altitudes, typically between sea level and 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)
Major Cocoa producing countries
West African & South American region produces the bulk of the world’s cocoa.
Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are by far the two largest cocoa growing countries, accounting for 50 % of global cocoa production
Followed by Ecuador with 9 %.
In Asia, Indonesia is the largest producer country.
COMMENTS