Challenges and Opportunities for Indonesian Cocoa Development in the Era of Climate Change

Abstract

In recent years, the area of cocoa plantations in Indonesia has tended to decline, one of which is attributed to climate change that threatens the sustainability of production; even though cocoa production and consumption have become popular globally, the consumer demand for cocoa products has also increased. Climate change causes increased air temperature, erratic rainfall patterns, increased sea level and surface temperature, and extreme weather. Cocoa requires an ideal rainfall of 1500–2500 mm/year and dry months (rainfall <60 mm) for about 1–3 month a year. Climate change can be a challenge for Indonesian cocoa development. Several efforts should be made to turn existing challenges into opportunities through appropriate technological inputs, such as the use of improved cocoa genetic resources (recommended clones) as well as improving nursery and field management practices, including shading and watering the seedlings, modification of growing media, mycorrhizal application, rainwater harvesting, and managing shade plants and intercropping.