Better Farming Series 22 - Cocoa (FAO - INADES, 1977, 32 p.): Harvesting the pods

Better Farming Series 22 - Cocoa (FAO - INADES, 1977, 32 p.)

(introduction...)

Preface

Growing cocoa

Cocoa is grown on trees

What varieties of cocoa can be grown in Africa?

Why cocoa is grown

Choosing seeds and growing seedlings

(introduction...)

Choosing seeds

Sowing seed sin nursery beds or in baskets

Lifting seedlings from nursery beds

Choosing and preparing the plantation site

Choosing the site

Clearing the site

Preparing to plant cocoa trees

Planting cocoa trees in a plantation

Taking care of the plantation

(introduction...)

Weeding and soil cover

Pruning cocoa trees

Applying fertilizers

Protection from insects and diseases

Harvesting the pods

Processing cocoa beans

43. The tree makes its first flowers after two years. But in order not to tire the tree, you should cut off the first flowers.

From these you will therefore get no fruit.

There are two harvests each year: a small harvest at the beginning of the rainy season, a big harvest at the end of the rainy season.

44. Do not pick all the pods at the same time.

Pick only pods that are ripe, whether yellow or red. Leave on the tree any pods that are not ripe, that are still a little green.

Go through the plantation every fortnight to pick the ripe pods.

Never pick the pods by pulling them off: if you do, you will spoil your tree.

You should cut the stem of the pod with a machete.

You should cut the stem of the pod