Reviving cocoa-based agroforestry in Northern Republic of Congo: Baseline insights for sustainable sector development

Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae) is a small evergreen tree that produces pods containing valuable beans, the primary raw material for chocolate production. In Côte d'Ivoire, cocoa is a cornerstone of the national economy, accounting for 40% of export revenues and contributing 15–20% to the GDP. Similarly, in Ghana and Cameroon, cocoa remains the primary source of income for farmers in cocoa-growing zones. In the Republic of Congo, cocoa was a significant source of revenue in the 1960s but lost prominence to extractive industries. Facing a persistent mining crisis since the early 2000s, the Republic of Congo has prioritized diversifying its economy. Revitalizing the cocoa sector is among the strategic options, particularly through the intensification of cocoa farming, including the re-densification of farms and the use of regulated shading via agroforestry systems. The national goal is to triple current cocoa production from approximately 15,000 tons. To support this ambition, key questions emerged regarding the number of cocoa and companion tree seedlings needed to meet farmer demand. To provide evidence-based answers, field assessments were conducted in the Sangha and Likouala divisions, the country's primary cocoa-growing regions. The assessments focused on the structure of cocoa-based agroforestry systems, specifically on the planting densities of cocoa and companion trees. A census of cocoa growers was also conducted, including the total number of farmers, plantation sizes, gender distribution, and demographic data. A total of 57 cocoa plots were randomly surveyed along the Souanké- Enyellé transect, and all cocoa growers in the two divisions were included in the census. Key findings reveal approximately 5,500 active cocoa farmers in northern Congo, comprising 80% men and 20% women, with 93.8% identifying as Bantu and 6.2% as Indigenous people. About 30.9% of farmers are under 40 years old, while 69.1% are older. Each farmer cultivates an average of 2.33 hectares of land. The mean cocoa tree density is 661 ± 262 trees/ha, and companion tree density averages 65 ± 24 trees/ha. To optimize production through re-densification, approximately 340 additional cocoa trees and 35 companion trees are required per hectare, targeting a density of 999 cocoa trees and 100 companion trees per hectare. To ensure equity and sustainability, greater participation of women (target 30%) and Indigenous populations (target 10%) is essential. Given that most farmers are over 40, youth engagement will also be key to sustaining the sector.