Is enhanced rock weathering part of the solution to net zero cocoa farming?

This project focuses on investigating ERW with cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production in Brazil/Indonesia. Cocoa is typically grown on highly weathered nutrient-poor acidic soils (oxisols). These soils are infertile because of low pH, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) levels but high aluminium (Al) content. The warm climate conditions of Brazil/Indonesia soils are ideal for carbon dioxide removal by ERW and generating agricultural and soil co-benefits.

Building on prior studies with cocoa grown on basalt-amended oxisols in Malaysia, this project has the central aim of rigorously evaluating ERW deployment on cocoa under field conditions over three growing seasons to quantify carbon removal, the response of cocoa tree growth and yields, and improvements in soil fertility.

Extensive logistical and technical support will be available to the student in setting up, accessing, and running these field experiments from Mondelez International. Costs of basalt supply, transportation and distribution will be covered by Mondelez International, who will undertake operations for annually distributing the crushed material.