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Crop-diversification and organic management increase the energy efficiency of cacao plantations

Pérez-Neira, David; Schneider, Monika and Armengot, Laura (2020) Crop-diversification and organic management increase the energy efficiency of cacao plantations. Agricultural Systems, 177, p. 102711.

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Document available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X18305389


Summary

The increasing global demand for chocolate and related products has intensified their production systems by both replacing traditional agroforestry systems with monocultures and increasing the use of synthetic external inputs and machinery. High dependence on non-renewable energy is a clear symptom of unsustainability in food production systems. Consequently, more sustainable agricultural practices should be promoted. With a special focus on non-renewable energy, this work compares: i) the cumulate energy demand (CED), ii) energy return on investment (EROI), and iii) energy return on labour of four different cacao production systems: two agroforestry systems and two monocultures under organic and conventional management. Cacao and subproduct yields and the use of labour and external inputs were recorded during the first five years after the establishment of the trial in Bolivia. Results show that CED per hectare was almost 2-fold higher in monocultures than in agroforestry systems. With regard to the kilograms of cacao produced, the higher number of inputs used in monocultures was compensated by a higher cacao output. However, when subproducts were also taken into account, non-renewable CED was 7.4 times higher in monocultures, and non-renewable EROI increased up to 4.8 times in agroforestry systems compared to monocultures. Under organic management, less than 10% of CED was from non-renewable sources, while it reached 75% in conventional systems. Non-renewable EROI was higher under organic management, both when only cacao was considered and when subproducts were also included. Productivity per hour worked and per energy unit of labour invested were both higher in agroforestry systems than in monocultures. In conclusion, diversification of production and organic management are crucial to increase EROI and diminish dependence on non-renewable energy sources of cacao plantations.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Energy analysis, EROI, Agroforestry systems, Subproducts, Energy return on labour, Cacao, Abacus, FiBL6516603
Subjects: Crop husbandry
Research affiliation: Spain > University of León
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Crops > Special crops > Cocoa
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > International > Agroforestry Systems
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > International > Regions > Latin America & Caribbean
DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.102711
Deposited By: Armengot, Dr Laura
ID Code:36703
Deposited On:05 Nov 2019 13:58
Last Modified:31 Jan 2021 12:00
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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