Peasant evaluation of the agroecological management of cocoa plantations (Theobroma cacao L.) in Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate in a participative way the incidence of moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), black spot (Phytophtora capsici) and squirrel (Sciurus spp.) in cocoa plantations (Theobroma cacao L.) (“cacaotal“) of the Chontalpa region, Tabasco, with at least one year of having changed from conventional management to agroecological management.

Methodology: The incidence of moniliasis, black spot and squirrel in 20 cacao plantations with conventional management, and subsequent agroecological management, were estimated through semi-structured interviews to participating peasants. The relative decrease (Dr) of these incidences was calculated with the equation Dr = If x 100 / Ip where If = incidence in the 2017-2018 cycle, Ip = incidence under conventional management.

Results: Under conventional management, use of fungicides was found in 82% of the cacao plantations evaluated, insecticides in 92%, herbicides in 71% and application of chemical fertilizers in 97% of the plantations. Prior to the agroecological management, moniliasis was present in all the plantations evaluated (55% of these, with damages between 70-100%), black spot in 90% of the plantations (with damages between 70-100%) and squirrels in 80% of the plantations (25% of these, with damages between 80-100%). Under agroecological management, a decrease ? 50% was registered on these three problems, in more than 80% of the cases evaluated.

Limitations of the study: Estimating from peasant must be complemented by experimental studies.

Conclusions: The agroecological management of cocoa plantations allowed elimination of the use of agrochemicals while moniliasis, black spot and squirrels were reduced in more than 80% of the cacao plantations respect to conventionally managed cacao plantations