7. Good Agricultural Practices for Cocoa

This section is for general guidance in training: with suggested ‘key messages’, and explanation on why they should be prioritised; each sub-section could be an individual training session. 

Note: the term GAP also applies to weeding, fertilizer application and other practices, besides pest management.

DROPDATA reference: these notes have been summarised in the leaflet: Spraying Cocoa: 10 Essentials, which is now available in Bahasa, English, French, Spanish, Tok Pidgin and Vietnamese versions. Download these from: www.dropdata.org/cocoa/training.htm.

This manual is not about promotion of pesticides, and it must be emphasised that pest management measures have little or no relevance, if the nature of the pest attack is not understood or if the crop is poorly managed. Responsible Pesticide Use has at least four components:
 

1. accurate diagnosis of problems and consequent decision making;
2. if their use is needed, the responsible use of pesticides or alternative control techniques;
3. choice of appropriate products that are registered for control of that problem and rotation of products to avoid build-up of resistance;
4. efficient application to maximise efficacy and minimize costs and impacts on non-target organisms.