ABSTRACT
Certain environmental and edaphic conditions must be at their optimum for successful growth of the cocoa plant. These factors include temperature, rainfall, humidity, soil types, soil pH and soil nutrition. Cocoa cultivation requires an appropriate climate that is mostly found within the area bounded by the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The majority of the world’s cocoa is grown at small or large plantations within 10° north and south of the equator (Figure 3.1), and best suited for sea level up to a maximum of about 1,000 metres, although most of the world’s cocoa grows at an altitude of less than 300 metres.
