Methods of Rehabilitation of Old Cocoa

COMPLETE REPLANTING.-It is is done by completely removing the old cocoa and replanting under newly established temporary shade. This method permits replacement by imported disease resistant and high yielding varieties. This method is particularly suitable for small holdings 1/2 to 2 hectares in extent.

PHASED REPLANTING.- where the plantation is large, a suitable percentage of the land is completely replanted each year until the whole area is completed. This method enables the farmer to remove old cocoa in stages allowing him some income during the period of replanting.

PLANTING YOUNGCOCOA UNDER OLDCOCOA TREES.- In this method,

some of the old but healthy trees are trained as shade trees. Diseased trees are compulsorily removed. When the young plants are established, the canopy of the old cocoa is progressively thinned. Ferment shade is established during this period (25-30% shade). By the end of the 3rd year the old cocoa trees are removed completely, leaving a pure stand of improved cocoa under the newly established permanent shade. This method is likely to be attractive and acceptable to farmers since they are assured of a reasonable income (from the old cocoa) during the gestation period of the new stand.

CHUPON REGENERATION.- Old cocoa trees can be regenerated by encouraging the growth of basal chupons on the main stem. The old trunk is coppiced at about 25 cm. above the ground level and a paint or some bituminous tar applied to the cut surface to prevent entry of pathogens. The cut shold be a slanted one.