The soil for Cocoa plantations must be well drained, deep and have sufficient water absorbent capacity. The pH value of the soil should be between 4.0 to 7.5, whereby care must be taken that sufficient organic material is available. Cocoa can be grown in coconut and areca nut garden as a mixed crop. It can also be planted in forest lands.
Cocoa is a crop of humid tropics needing well distributed rainfall. At least 90 to 100 mm rainfall per month with annual precipitation of 1500 to 2000 mm is ideal. Though, it can be grown in other regions by supplementing rainfall with irrigation in dry periods, though for successful cultivation, the dry months must not exceed 3 to 4 months, Cocoa tolerates a minimum temperature of 15°C and a maximum of 40°C, but a temperature around 25°C is considered as best. Cocoa can be grown in place from sea level up to an elevation.
