By Herbert Musoke
Transplanting
It is recommended to transplant cocoa seedlings in the evening hours when temperatures are cooler. Transplanting should be done at the beginning of the rainy season. If it is done during the dry season, ensure that the seedlings receive adequate water for growth.
Weed management: Keep the cocoa plantation weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients. Intercropping with legumes such as soybeans or beans can help in weed management, as these crops encourage regular weeding activities.
Intercropping with bananas
In dry areas, such as the cattle corridors of Nakasongola and Luwero, you can intercrop cocoa with bananas in the same hole. Plant the cocoa seedling on the western side of the hole to protect it from excessive sun heat, with the banana providing shade. The banana plant also helps collect water during the rainy season.
Fertilisation
Organic fertilisers, such as cow dung and chicken droppings, are recommended for cocoa. These fertilisers should be applied during the rainy season to ensure they dissolve and become available for plant uptake. Chemical fertilisers can also be used but applied cautiously, as they may not dissolve properly in the dry season and could harm soil health if overused.
Pruning
Job Chemutai, a researcher at the National Coffee Resources Research Institute in Kituuza, Mukono district emphasises that pruning is crucial for the fruiting of cocoa trees. Initially, trees should be shaped into a ‘wine glass’ form. Subsequent prunings should focus on removing unhealthy and unproductive branches. Regular pruning should be every three months.
“Pruning should coincide with the rainy season to avoid compromising the tree’s health in dry periods. Prioritise removing branches that touch the ground,” he advises. Maintaining the tree height at 4m is essential for easy harvesting.
