ABIDJAN, Dec 16 (Reuters) – Farmers in Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing areas welcomed heavier-than-usual rainfall after weeks of sizzling and dry climate had threatened the principle crop, they informed Reuters on Monday.
Ivory Coast, the world’s prime cocoa producer, is in its dry season, which runs from November to March when rain tends to be scarce or gentle.
“This humidity goes to assist the bushes and get them prepared for a great output in February and March,” stated Joseph Kan, who farms close to Daloa.
Whereas farmers have been optimistic for subsequent yr’s harvest, plantations would wish common rain and gentle seasonal winds to proceed growing, they stated.
Harmattan winds sweep in sand from the Sahara and might ravage cocoa pods and sap soil moisture, damaging bean dimension.
Information collected by Reuters confirmed rainfall in Daloa, which incorporates the area of Bouafle, was 15.6 millimetres (mm) final week, 11.7 mm above the five-year common.
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