Climate Change Webinar 2024

23rd October 2024

13:00 GMT/UTC | 14:00 BST (UK) | 15:00 CET | 09:00 EST | 20:00 WIT

Responses and adaptation of cocoa to a variable and changing climate.

In many locations where cocoa is grown, challenges are experienced in terms of environmental stresses, such as drought or episodes of very high temperatures. In many areas, these challenges are becoming more pronounced due to climate change.

The webinar will explore research on climate change (responses of cocoa to elevated CO2, water deficit and increased temperatures), farmers’ perceptions of climate change and the potential for agroforestry to mitigate weather extremes.

Recordings of the webinar will be available on this page within a couple of weeks.

Webinar Programme

  • Welcome Remarks – Andrew Daymond

Session 1

  • Different cocoa agroforestry systems across the globe – Philippe Bastide Consultant, France
  • Q&A
  • The cocoa and climate change programme at the University of Reading – Fiona Lahive University of Reading, UK
  • The impacts of drought on cocoa physiology – Ramon Jaimez Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Ecuador
  • Adaptability of cocoa to changing climate in palm-based cropping systems of India – Elain Apshara CPCRI, India
  • Q&A

Session 2

  • Results of survey on perceptions of climate change and agroforestry – Andrew Daymond University of Reading, UK
  • Farmers’ perspectives of climate change on cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire – Edi Constant Société Coopérative pour l’Innovation dans le Monde Agricole d’Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Mapping shade in cocoa farming systems and the effects of shade on the microclimate – Wilma Hart University of Queensland, Australia
  • Q&A
  • Discussion on the potential for agroforestry to ameliorate the impacts of climate extremes on cocoa

Please complete the survey on perceptions of climate change on cocoa productivity and cocoa agroforestry. The results of the survey will be posted on this page when complete.