Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world ?
- (a) Algeria and Morocco
- (b) Botswana and Namibia
- (c) Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Madagascar and Mozambique
Why the answer is (c)
• Cocoa is a crop of the humid tropics, grown mainly within 10° of the equator in West Africa, Latin America and South-east Asia.
• Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer (roughly 40% of global output) and neighbouring Ghana the second-largest; together they supply about 60% of the world's cocoa — option (c).
• Algeria and Morocco are North African, arid or Mediterranean countries unsuited to cocoa; Botswana and Namibia are semi-arid southern African states.
• Madagascar and Mozambique grow some cocoa but are minor producers.
• Both leading producers have set up a joint 'living income differential' to raise farmer incomes.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Algeria and Morocco
- Algeria and Morocco have dry climates and grow no cocoa.
- (b) Botswana and Namibia
- Botswana and Namibia are semi-arid and do not grow cocoa.
- (d) Madagascar and Mozambique
- Madagascar and Mozambique are minor cocoa producers.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.