Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

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
(d) Madagascar and Mozambique

Correct Answer: (c) Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Economic Geography | Plantation Crops | Africa | Global Agricultural Production

This is a current-affairs–linked geography question, testing awareness of major plantation crops and their leading producer regions.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Cocoa is a tropical plantation crop, primarily grown in regions close to the Equator, where climatic conditions are ideal.

Let us understand the global pattern.

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🔹 Global Cocoa Production Pattern

• Cocoa is native to the Americas
• Historically cultivated by:
  • Mayans
  • Aztecs
• Today, cocoa cultivation has shifted mainly to West Africa

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🔹 West Africa’s Dominance ✅

• Around 70% of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa
• Major producers include:
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Ghana
  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon

Among these, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana stand far ahead.

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🔹 Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana (Option c) ✅

• Together, they account for more than 50% of global cocoa production
• Côte d’Ivoire alone produced about 2.1 million metric tonnes (2021)
• Both countries benefit from:
  • Equatorial climate
  • High rainfall
  • Warm temperatures

✔️ Correct option

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🔹 Why other options are incorrect ❌

• Algeria & Morocco → Arid / Mediterranean climates
• Botswana & Namibia → Desert and semi-arid regions
• Madagascar & Mozambique → Cocoa producers exist, but not among the top two

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📊 Final Assessment

Country Pair	Cocoa Production Status
Côte d’Ivoire – Ghana	✅ Largest producers
Algeria – Morocco	❌
Botswana – Namibia	❌
Madagascar – Mozambique	❌

👉 Correct answer: (c)

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❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

• UPSC often links:
  • Plantation crops
  • African geography
  • Current production statistics
• West Africa is the default hotspot for cocoa-related questions

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Chocolate begins in West Africa — Ivory Coast and Ghana.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

For plantation crops:

• Remember the big two:
  • Cocoa → Côte d’Ivoire & Ghana
  • Coffee → Brazil
  • Tea → China & India

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

The sweetest crops often grow where history, climate, and labour meet.