Farmer species cards – companion crop and management options for smallholder cacao agroforestry systems

Cacao agroforestry systems, widely adopted by smallholder farmers in Indonesia and globally, integrate companion tree species and other crops to enhance sustainability. Species diversification reduces biological, market, and livelihood risks, while tree intercrops help maintain soil moisture, structure, and fertility, ensuring long-term productivity. Additionally, increased species diversity minimizes pest and disease outbreaks, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Though companion crops may lower cacao yields, their resilience-building effects, flexible management, and overall system productivity balance the trade-offs.
Beyond biodiversity benefits, cacao agroforestry provides ecosystem services and serves as a climate-smart farming strategy. While many smallholder farmers recognize its advantages, knowledge gaps remain in design optimization and best management practices.
The ‘farmer species cards’ initiative, developed by ICRAF Indonesia and Mars Symbioscience, combines practical experience and literature reviews to equip farmers and extension staff with essential guidance. The cards introduce a proven set of cacao agroforestry options, recommending a standard planting distance of 3.8 m × 2.5 m to facilitate mechanization-ready systems. The 15 featured species represent common and compatible cacao companion crops, yielding commercial products while offering household utility.

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