Sociobioeconomic Effects of the Transition of Cocoa Grown in Agroforestry Systems to Full Sun in the Amazon

Objective: The goal of this research was to analyze the socioeconomic and environmental factors that define the technological transition in the microregion of Altamira. Theoretical framework: Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) farming in agroforestry systems (AFS), which have always been the structuring base of the production chain, have now combined this base with the monoculture system also called full-sun cocoa farming system. The good practices used differ from the perspective of sustainable development: the AFS operates with social and environmental dimensions and the full-sun cocoa farming system operates with economic dimensions. Results and conclusion: The four latent variables identified by Explanatory Factorial Analysis (EFA) indicated that the sociobioeconomic feasibility of cocoa farming with AFS is higher than that of Full-sun cocoa farming system, which is currently being implemented in the Trans-Amazon region. The conclusion is that cocoa farming with AFS dominated in the long-term generation of sociobioeconomic and may include new dynamics with the progress of certification and access to the carbon and ecosystems services market. Research implications: How do the cocoa stakeholders notice the effects of cocoa farming transition from AFS to a combination with the Full-sun farming in the supply chain? The EFA was applied to a data sample with the stakeholders from cocoa chain to define the latent variables and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of cocoa farming via AFS and Full-sun. Originality/value: The Full-sun cocoa farming system is based only on the highest productivity resulted from the use of chemicals, mechanization and access to credit. The AFS presents higher yield, social inclusion, biodiversity preservation, and reducedy greenhouse gases emissions. Therefore, the organization of producers, cocoa certification and access to the carbon market can make the cocoa farming in the Trans-Amazon region more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable.