Chocolate is one of the world's most widely consumed foods. It is made from cacao beans grown by millions of smallholder farmers globally. High-quality cacao beans require optimal growing conditions, which are essential for producing good-quality chocolates. However, growing climate variability such as rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and prolonged dry spells, are making it harder to maintain healthy crops and stable yields. Indonesia, the world's third largest cacao producer, is facing the brunt of these challenges, which are directly impacting cacao production.
To address these challenges, a team of researchers led by Professor Risma Neswati from the Department of Soil Sciences at Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, carried out a field study in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where cacao farming is widely practiced. They investigated different types of shade trees—trees planted alongside crops to provide partial cover from direct sunlight—namely, coconut, banana, and Gliricidia sepium, and evaluated various combinations of these trees alongside two high-yielding cacao clones (MCC 02 and Sulawesi 2), to assess their impact on soil–plant–leaf relationships and how they help cacao plants cope with climate stress. "We studied different shade trees and how they affected the soil, plant health, and the growth of cacao plants," explains Prof. Neswita. Their findings were published in Volume 100 of Agroforestry Systems on March 11, 2026.
After analyzing different combinations of trees, the researchers found that integrating a mix of shade trees works better compared to using just one type or no shade at all. The study demonstrated that these mixed, layered shade systems, consisting of coconut, banana, and G. sepium, not only improved the soil quality through enrichment of important nutrients, such as nitrogen, but also boosted the soil's ability to retain them. It also helped create a more stable microenvironment under the trees, thereby protecting the cacao plants from direct exposure to extreme heat and helping retain moisture.
Additionally, these shaded systems also improved plant physiology through increased levels of chlorophyll in the plants, resulting in healthier leaves. Researchers note that this helped provide a better control over water loss, which is critical during dry periods. Notably, these strategies led to stronger plant growth and consistent early fruit development. When comparing the growth of cacao trees under different environments, trees under mixed shade grew taller, developed wider canopies, and produced more young fruits than those without shade. "We found that different cacao varieties require different levels of shade. While some perform best under denser shade, others grow better with slightly more sunlight," notes Prof. Neswita. In this way, farmers can improve yields by matching cacao varieties with suitable shade systems.
The authors emphasize that, in addition to planting shade trees, proper management through spacing and pruning can make cacao farms more resilient to climate stress. In addition, keeping fallen leaves on the ground as natural mulch can also help maintain soil fertility and moisture. The findings also support global efforts toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on sustainable agriculture and climate action.
While the results are promising, researchers note that more studies are needed across different regions and seasons to better understand how these shade systems can be applied to improve yields worldwide. Overall, the findings highlight the value of simple, nature-based solutions by showing how soil, plants, and the environment work together. This approach offers a practical pathway for building climate-resilient cacao farms and improving future production.
