Migration and Agricultural Practices in the Peripheral Areas of Côte d’Ivoire State-Owned Forests

Abstract

Côte d’Ivoire’s rural areas adjacent to the state-owned areas of the southern half of the country, such as classified forests, are experiencing significant migratory flows due to their agricultural potential. The population movements in these rural areas have changed the rural landscape. The general objective of this study was to identify the peasant innovations implemented in these rural areas adjacent to the state’s forest domains in a context of land saturation caused by migratory flows. This objective was elucidated from the case of the classified forest of Haut-Sassandra (CFHS). To achieve this, surveys were conducted in 11 villages on the periphery of the FCHS to determine the profile of planters and the main crops grown. Subsequently, floristic inventories were carried out on farms to analyse the diversity of associated species. Analyses showed that the rural populations of the CFHS are mainly composed of Allochthones (64%). Four innovative production systems were identified: a cashew-based production system, a cocoa-based production system, a coffee-based production system and a coffee- and cocoa-based production system. These farmer innovations based on agroforestry practices make it possible to restore impoverished lands and fight against climatic hazards. Consequently, these local practices deserve to be popularised in areas of strong land pressure as strategies to overcome the shortage of arable land and fluctuating prices of agricultural production.

Exploring Barriers to Agroforestry Adoption by Cocoa Farmers in South-Western Côte d’Ivoire

“…In addition, tree species retained by farmers in their cocoa farms were mainly composed of exotic and local fruit tree species, namely Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Citrus sp., confirming previous findings highlighting that fruit tree species were the major tree species in cocoa landscapes [18,29,35]. These species help cocoa farmers diversify their source of income and ensure their food security as fruits are either directly consumed or sold to local traders and farmers during the lean season [64,65]. Moreover, the association of fruit-tree species has the potential to enhance cocoa productivity, as shown in central Côte d'Ivoire through cocoa-avocado and cocoa-orange intercropping systems [18].…”

“…In addition, the origin of the farmer appears to be an underlying factor of agroforestry adoption. A recent appraisal conducted in Côte d'Ivoire related on-farm tree retention to the origin of farmers and are meant to supply their daily need for food, fuelwood, and traditional medicine [64]. Similarly, Owusu and Frimpong [31] showed that cocoa agroforestry adoption is triggered by several factors, including age, gender, and migration status, in Ghana and Cameroon [75].…”

Climate-smart cocoa governance risks entrenching old hegemonies in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana: a multiple environmentality analysis

“…Agroecological innovations we repeatedly encountered included growing nitrogen-fixing legumes for subsistence and improving soil fertility, and producing organic fertilisers from waste and chicken droppings. Many such innovations have been separately reported in the literature (Asare, 2006;Jagoret et al, 2014;Khatun et al, 2020;Zanh et al, 2019). In our study sites, we found that extension officers rarely consulted smallholders on their own sustainable innovations and environmental stewardship knowledge, despite both being expertly tailored to local conditions.…”

Achieving Real-World Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Practical and Theoretical Findings from Using an Exponential One-Phase Decay Model

“…Cote d'Ivoire is a coastal country in West Africa, covering 322,463 km 2 . Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities [16].…”