Under the scorching sun near Agboville, 70 kilometers from Côte d'Ivoire's bustling capital Abidjan, cocoa farmer Christian Andre Yapi stares worriedly at his withering trees. \"The beans are turning black,\" he laments. \"They're not growing properly because of the heat.\" 🌡️🌴
The record-breaking temperatures are taking a toll on the world's leading cocoa producer. The usual lush leaves that shield the precious pods are drying up and falling, leaving the beans exposed to the relentless sun. ☀️🍃
\"It's so hot, I can only work in the mornings,\" Yapi says, wiping sweat from his brow. The rest of the day, he watches as his yield shrinks. \"Normally in the off-season, I get up to a tonne. This year, I'll be lucky to get 300 kilograms.\" 😓
Last year's heavy rains have given way to searing heat, with temperatures soaring to a record 41°C in Dimbrokro, central Côte d'Ivoire, according to Daouda Konate, head of the national weather agency Sodexam. 🌡️🔥
The heatwave isn't just an Ivorian issue. Across West Africa, communities are feeling the burn. In Mali, the town of Kayes sweltered under a staggering 48.5°C in early April. 🥵🌍
Agronomist Siaka Kone explains that such intense heat stresses plants. \"The available water isn't sufficient for proper growth, and there will be no blossoms. Without flowers, there's no fruit,\" he notes. 🌺🚫
Agriculture makes up a quarter of Côte d'Ivoire's GDP and provides half of all employment. The nation's lifeblood is at stake, and farmers like Yapi are on the frontlines of this climate battle. 💔🌿
As global temperatures rise, the future of the chocolate we all love could be melting away. It's a wake-up call for us all to take action against climate change. 🍫🌍✨
Reference(s):
Record heat rots cocoa beans threatening Côte d'Ivoire agriculture
cgtn.com
