Coconut Sector Development Project. Report on the mission from 12 to 20 May 2003

The purpose of this mission was to: visit the ongoing trials, check that recommendations made during previous missions habe been implemented, discuss use of these reference trials for development. Replanting trials: In the 3 trials under way, we are demonstrating that mineral fertilization is essential for ensuring coconut palm growth such that they can start bearing at four years. The most blatant opposite case can be seen at Nyamebekyere, where unfertilized young coconut palms have stagnated for three years: credit repayment cannot be expected in this case. At Eduma, coconut palms that have been fertilized and weeded, as there has been a succession of intercrops, and which have been well maintained themselves, display excellent growth and flowering precocity. They could be used as a model for the project, demonstrating ideal growth and bearing precocity. Rehabilitation trials: A distinction can be made between three types of trials: - Those in which potassium deficiency predominates, and in which the application of potassium fertilizer is followed by an increase in yields (whose sustainability needs to be measured after the end of the five-year intensification plan): Jeway Wharf, Takinta, Ellenda and Nawule. - Those in which potassium deficiency is combined with a phosphorus deficiency, and in which the application of phosphate fertilizer is essential in addition to potassium fertilizer. The reaction of the coconut palms to phosphate and potassium fertilizers is currently being measured: AB Bokazo and Edwakpole. - Those in which phosphorus deficiency predominates (notably an absence of potassium deficiency), and in which the response of the coconut palms to phosphate fertilizer applications is currently being measured: Anwia. Prospects: For replanting, we propose moving on next year to a second set of trials intended to specify the nutrient requirements of young coconut palms by major type of morphopedological unit. For rehabilitation, it would be a good idea to continue observing the coconut palms after the last fertilizer application scheduled under the protocol in May 2004 has been carried out.