Aceh province is located in the northern-most part of the island of Sumatra and therefore at the top of the Indonesian archipelago. Cocoa production has increased steadily in recent years. However, in the plains, cocoa trees seem aged and unproductive. Villagers complain of increasing difficulties related to the age of the trees and damage caused by squirrels and insects. This situation seems to contradict the data on cocoa production which is increasing in Aceh. Where then is the recent regional movement of diversification to cocoa? The dynamics swing between 1) the decline of cocoa inserted in the agroforestry systems, both the cause and consequence of beginning diversification into oil palm and rubber (here mostly in the old agroforestry systems developed in the plains); 2) the expansion of cocoa in the form of quasi-monoculture agricultural frontiers (here mostly in the hills). This could ultimately prove unfortunate. However, considering the state of technology and policies, this dual strategy of short-term specialization and opportunistic diversification seems effective for the local farmers.