Coconut Sector Development Project. Report on the mission from 21st April to 5th May 2002

I - Replanting trials: Two trials have been halted: Anlo (2) and Ankwanda (3) on the coast, since the coconut palms, and even more so the intercrops, are prevented from growing by the impact of sea spray, combined with strong Oryctes pressure. It is therefore urgent to launch mass production of filao plants and to plant barriers parallel with the coastline, before coconut-based farming systems can be considered. Three trials are being continued: Princess Town (1), Nyawebekyere (4) and Eduma (5). For each of them, at different intensities, mineral fertilization promotes the growth of the young coconut palms. However, Oryctes has to be strictly controlled. Improvements are proposed for intercropped maize cultivation. II - Rehabilitation trials: Apart from the trial at Otabil Krom (8), which is atypical, 2 types of reaction can be distinguished: - Trials with a high potassium deficiency, without any other limiting factor, where KCI application is followed by good K assimilation by the coconut palms, and a strong increase in yields. The greater the initial potassium deficiency, the more spectacular the effect. This is the case with the trials at Jeway Wharf (1), Takinta (2), Ellenda (3) and Nawule (4). - Trials with a high potassium deficiency, with another limiting nutrient factor (P in this case), where KCI application is followed by good K assimilation by the coconut palms, but without any effect on yields, due to a blockage caused by the P deficiency. This is the case of the trials at AB Bokazo (5) and Ewakpole (7) and, to a lesser degree, Anwia (6) where potassium nutrition is not limiting. For these 3 trials, we propose phosphate fertilizer (1.5 kg TSP/palm) in October 2002, to see whether the suspected P deficiency can be removed and thereby allow KCI to take effect. Soil analyses will also be required to correlate the coconut leaf analyses. Initial calculations of the cost-effectiveness of potassium fertilizer, under the experimental conditions, show that when K is the only limiting nutrient factor, it takes an increase in yields of at least 24 nuts per palm per year to compensate for the KCI application at the rates used. It is only above that figure that potassium fertilization becomes cost-effective. III - Development: the new seed garden at Bonsaso has got off to a good start, and a few comments are made for improving the organization of planting operations. The Abura nursery is very well kept. On the farms taking part in the replanting project, three factors govern the success of the operation: Oryctes control, mineral fertilizer application, soil cleaning by intercrops. (Résumé d'auteur