Search

Abstract The encroachment of agricultural expansion into protected areas has led to severe biodiversity loss. To promote sustainable agriculture practices and reverse the anthropogenic pressure, several initiatives such as the Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI) and the National Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), have been undertaken. This study examines the adoption of cocoa agroforestry by smallholder farmers in the vicinity of the Taï National Park (TNP) in Southwestern Côte d’Ivoire. A structured questionnaire was administered to 323 cocoa farmers to understand their practices and perceptions of cocoa agroforestry. Results showed that most farmers (95%) grow unimproved cocoa varieties with an average yield of 376 ± 36 kg ha−1 year−1. The majority of farmers (86%) use agroforestry practices in their farming systems, with pruning techniques being used by 82% and fertilizers applied by 27%. Additionally, 54% of farmers are adopting improved agroforestry practices or planting more trees in their cocoa plantations. Factors influencing cocoa agroforestry adoption include gender, the length of residency, the number of cultivated cash crops and the incidence of black pod attacks. These findings highlight the potential to leverage community knowledge in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and generate positive impacts. These results have important implications for future initiatives aiming to promote sustainable agriculture practices and biodiversity conservation in the region. By capitalizing on the adoption of agroforestry and leveraging socioeconomic factors, it is possible to enhance the conservation of the TNP and promote sustainable cocoa farming practices.

The cacao swollen shoot disease (CSSD) caused by a complex of badnavirus species presents a major challenge for cacao production in West Africa, especially Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. In this study, CSSD species detection efficiency, diversity, and geographic distribution patterns in cacao plantations in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire were investigated through field surveillance, PCR detection assays, sequencing of positive amplicons, and phylogeographic clustering. Cumulatively, the detection efficiency of the tested CSSD primer sets that were targeting the movement protein domain of the virus ranged from 0.15% (CSSD-3 primer) to 66.91% (CSSD-1 primer) on all the symptomatic cacao leaf samples assessed. The identified CSSD species differed phylogenetically and overlapped in distribution, with the cacao swollen shoot Togo B virus (CSSTBV) (n = 588 sequences) being the most prevalent and widely distributed compared to the other CSSD species that were encountered in both countries. Geographically, the cacao swollen shoot CE virus (CSSCEV) species (n = 124 sequences) that was identified was largely restricted to the bordering regions of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. These results provide updated knowledge of the geographic distribution of the key CSSD species and their diagnostic efficiency and, thus, provide guidance in identifying locations for structured testing of cacao germplasm and optimal diagnostics for the predominant CSSD species in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest cocoa producer, faces numerous challenges because the yield of orchards is low due to several factors including the non-use of improved plant materials. This work is part of ICRAF's Vision for Change (V4C) project, which aimed at contributing to the regeneration of cocoa farms by making effective plant materials available to small cocoa producers. It essentially consisted in evaluating the effect of the age of the rootstock on the success of grafting to obtain a satisfactory quantity of improved plants in the nursery. The study was carried out in Adiopodoumé at the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA). Ten elite cocoa clones from the “Vision for Change” project were used as scions. Top grafting was performed on seedlings of 2, 3- and 4-months used as rootstocks. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Data collection was focused on the grafting success rate and morphological parameters. The results showed that the grafting success rate is proportional to the rootstock age. Two months after grafting, the success rate was low. This indicates that grafting should eventually start at 3 months. This period could therefore represent a good stage to successfully graft and replant cocoa seedlings.

Deforestation and land degradation remain two major economic and environmental threats in Côte d’Ivoire. This study assessed land use and land cover (LULC) change and farmers’ perceptions of the drivers and effects of deforestation and land degradation in south-western Côte d’Ivoire. We used remotely sensed data to determine LULC change trends, and a household survey to collect farmers’ perceptions of deforestation and land degradation. A total of 411 households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and the focus group discussions involved 25 farmers. Landsat image analysis reported a drastic LULC change and a conversion of forestlands into agriculture from 1987 to 2015 at a rate of 1.44%/year and 3.44%/year for dense forests and degraded forests, respectively. The household survey revealed that the major causes of deforestation perceived by farmers included population growth (79.3%), extensive agriculture (72.9%), migration (54.2%) and logging (47.7%). Land degradation evolved, from a shortened fallow period (46.7%) and an inappropriate application of inputs (31.4%). The perceived major effects linked to deforestation encompassed land degradation (70.6%), loss of biodiversity (63.8%), global warming (56.9%) and loss of livelihood assets (54.3%). Therefore, this study recommends participatory landscape planning, reforestation and capacity building of stakeholders for sustainable intensification of the production systems to reduce LULC challenges for enhanced productive and protective functions of remaining forests.

One way of boosting cocoa productivity which has plummeted over the last decade in Côte d’Ivoire is to introduce high performing clones. Preliminary observations have indicated that these new clones have differing growth patterns and agronomic traits in the field. Assessing their compatibility is of paramount importance since these clones will be made available to the farmers in the near future. This study was conducted in Soubré, southwest of Côte d’Ivoire, to evaluate the compatibility of ten new cocoa clones (coded as C1, C8, C9, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C20, and C21). A half diallel design consisting of 10 self-pollinations and 45 inter-crosses, replicated three times, was used. Results showed significant differences among clones for pollination success. Out of the ten clones evaluated, six (C1, C8, C9, C15, C17 and C21) were self-compatible. With a 39% mean pollination success, C9 was quite interesting because it has been reported to be among the highest yielding clones. Introduction of improved germplasm will go a long way towards enhancing productivity in Côte d’Ivoire, radically impact farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute significantly to a more reliable supply of cocoa beans for chocolate manufacturers.

Objective: To investigate the seasonal variations of women's dietary diversity (WDD) (items consumed and food supply) and its linkages with agriculture, market and wild resources.Design: A cohort of 300 women was followed-up over a year to investigate WDD and food sources (production, purchase or foraging). Monthly qualitative 24 h recalls allowed computing WDD Scores from a standard 10-food groups (FG) classification (WDDS-10). Associations between farm/women's characteristics and WDDS-10 were investigated using multivariate mixed models including interaction terms factor*months.Setting: Tuy province, Burkina Faso.Participants: 300 women of reproductive age.Results: Both dietary diversity and food sources were seasonal. The mean WDDS-10 was relatively stable from August to January (ranging from 3·1 to 3·5 FG) when farm production predominated. The WDDS-10 gradually increased from February, concomitantly with an increase in food purchases (onions, tomatoes, mangoes) and reached its highest levels (>4 FG) from March to June, when food purchases were still relatively high and when more women consumed foraged fruits (shea plums and wild grapes). Women living on farms owning > 3 plough oxen and different animal species had significantly higher WDDS-10 than others (+0·28 and +0·35 FG, respectively). Women who practiced off-farm activities also had higher WDDS-10 than those who did not (+0·21 FG, P < 0·05). Other factors, for example, the number of foraged edible species, provided advantages in terms of dietary diversity only during certain seasons (October - January, P for interaction < 0·01).Conclusions: Diversifying women's diets throughout the year requires complementary interventions aimed at diversifying production, promoting foraging and increasing income-generating activities to enable food purchasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to improve cacao (Theobroma cacao) production through its association with a woody species, such as Ricinodendron heudelotii, in western Côte d’Ivoire. To do this, a design of two transects (10 m and 20 m) was installed around the species in 5 localities (Buyo, Duekoué, Guéyo, San-Pedro, and Soubré). The diameter at the breast height of the tree, the height, the number of fruits, the above biomass, and its carbon stock were measured. Results showed morphological variability of R. heudelotii according to the localities. The presence of the species within cacao trees reduces the rate of pod rot, stabilizes the rate of pods eaten away, and increases the biomass production and the carbon storage of cacao trees. The distance between the two species had no impact on the vigor and the yield of cacao trees. However, cacao density in the 10 m line was reduced compared to that of the 20 m. Therefore, the integration of R. heudelotii into cacao agroforestry systems could improve cacao production. That is why the reduction of cacao density, as well as the use of more suitable varieties of cacao, should be considered for the sustainability of this system.