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Nutritional Approach by Phenological Phase in Cocoa Transforms Farms and Shows That Results Are Significant at Low Cost.
A new agronomic approach is changing the reality of cocoa farms in southern Bahia. This is nutritional management by phenological phase, a technique that respects the natural cycle of the cocoa tree and has brought significant productivity results.
The innovation was implemented by agronomist Adson dos Santos Oliveira, through AGROS Consulting, and has already achieved gains of up to 330 arrobas per hectare.
The strategy is also accessible to small producers, which expands its social and economic impact in the region.
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The methodology has mainly been applied in the Baixo Sul de Bahia, a region traditionally known for cocoa cultivation.
The differential lies in the way the plant is nourished: instead of receiving standardized fertilization, the cocoa tree is treated according to its needs at each stage of the production cycle.
Innovation in Cocoa Tree Nutrition Respects the Plant Cycle
The nutritional management by phenological phase technique considers that the cocoa tree goes through different phases — such as vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, and ripening — and that each one requires specific nutrients.
For example, during the fruit-filling phase, the plant demands up to 60% of the potassium for the entire year.
According to Adson Oliveira, using the correct fertilizer at the wrong time is a common mistake; over-fertilizing with nitrogen during this phase causes the cocoa tree to revert to the vegetative phase and lose productivity.
Results Are Significant and Encourage Producers
The correct application of the technique has been showing significant results.
Farms that previously produced between 100 and 120 arrobas per hectare are now recording an average productivity of 160 arrobas.
The expectation for the 2025/2026 harvest, according to AGROS, is to reach between 310 and 330 arrobas per hectare in areas that strictly follow the nutritional plan.
These numbers represent a significant advancement in a crop that has historically faced challenges such as diseases, low productivity, and improper use of inputs.
Strategy Also Proves Accessible to Small Producers
While it may seem like cutting-edge technology, the innovation does not require high investments in sophisticated equipment.
The strategy also proves accessible to small producers, as long as it is accompanied by specialized technical guidance.
The basis of the technique lies in simple practices, such as soil analysis, leaf reading, and monitoring the plant’s physiological state.
With this data, it is possible to adjust the quantity and type of fertilizer to be applied.
Additionally, the method has shown a positive impact on plant health.
In many farms that follow the nutritional management by phenological phase, it is possible to observe crops free of diseases even after long periods without the application of chemical pesticides.
Adson Oliveira: The Journey of a Professional Committed to Innovation
A graduate of EMARC in Valença, with a master’s degree in plant production and currently pursuing a doctorate at UESC, Adson Oliveira has been active in the sector for over 25 years.
In 2013, he founded AGROS Agricultural Consulting, which now supports various producers in Bahia.
His commitment to innovation in cocoa has been a hallmark of his work.
Perspective for the Future of Brazilian Cocoa Farming
With the advancement of the technique, the expectation is that more farmers will adopt nutritional management by phenological phase as an essential tool to modernize production.
The impact goes beyond productivity: it is a sustainable, efficient approach with the potential to strengthen the foundation of the cocoa supply chain — small and medium producers.
Given such significant results, the national cocoa farming industry gains new momentum, and the example set in Bahia can serve as a model for other producing regions in the country.
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