Cacao-based agroforestry systems in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon Biomes: An ecoregional analysis of land use

Abstract CONTEXT Cacao-based agroforestry systems is an appropriate technology as it contributes to improving the standard of living of the population of an agricultural region based on land use without causing undesirable environmental changes. Brazil contributes approximately 5% of world cocoa production. The main cocoa producing states are Bahia and Espirito Santo in the Atlantic Forest biome; and Amazonas, Para, Rondonia and Mato Grosso in the Amazon biome, with an estimated total planted area of 606,794 ha and about 76,000 rural producers, of which almost 80% are in family farming. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to describe the various commercially adopted models of agroforestry systems with cacao trees (cacao-AFS), with an emphasis on their agronomic, economic and social-ecological advantages as key technologies for the sustainable rural development of the cacao regions in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon biomes in Brazil. METHODS A survey of the literature produced on various models of cacao-AFS was carried out, with an emphasis on farming system design, productivity, profitability, stability, employment and sustainability. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Cacao crops provide several social, economic and environmental benefits. The predominant cacao-AFS models in Bahia and Espirito Santo are the cacao-cabruca, cacao-erythrina and cacao-rubber systems, while the Amazon implements models in mixed and zonal systems with a high diversity of consortium multifunctional species. The social importance of the diversity of cacao-AFS models is to generate new technologies and knowledge, to preserve tree species with a social function (medicinal and fruit species) and to produce food in the systems installation phase. The cacao-cabruca system has the lowest productivity among the cacao-AFS of approximately 180 kg/ha, but with proper shade management and the use of high technology it can achieve much higher productivity. The diversity of cacao-AFS models in the cacao regions characterizes an agroforestry mosaic, forming a forest continuum in relation to conservation and production values. Thus, the mosaic of cacao-AFS can be considered a technology to help preserve and promote biodiversity without harming its commercial production. SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates that the cacao-AFS mosaic could also be considered an environmentally-friendly agroforestry technique and/or climate-smart agriculture. For this reason, implementing payment for ecosystem services should gain greater relevance as a mechanism to increase added value. This would allow access to niche markets with higher added value by paying for both environmental services and the fine cocoa market.