Gliricidia

Gliricidia sepium

Role: Nitrogen fixer, green manure provider, and seedling support

Spacing: Placed at planting holes to mark positions and support new seedlings

Benefits: Fast growing; fixes nitrogen in soil; pruned biomass used as green manure; provides early light shade for sensitive seedlings; biomass also usable as firewood and living fence material; medicinal value

Planting notes: Source cuttings from own or neighbouring farms. Can be heavily pruned regularly to stimulate regrowth and produce biomass. Once the cocoa tree is strong enough, Gliricidia may be removed and sold for its medicinal value.