Cocoa agroforestry system in Côte d'Ivoire: Existing knowledge and future research for sustainable production

Abstract

This study has assessed the ecological sustainability of cocoa production systems in Côte d'Ivoire. The litterature has shown that cocoa crop has been introduced in 1988 and this crop has been suitable with various pedoclimatic and vegetation factors in Côte d’Ivoire. This suitability has involved a move of the cocoa boom area and some changing practices from the South-east to the South-west of the country. The study has shown the existence of some divergences between farmers and scientists about the choice of associated tree species in cocoa agrosystems. Also, none adequate scientific research have been achieved in order to suggest to the farmers the most sustainable cocoa agroforest system. Future research should be focused on finding a trade-off about the choice of associated tree species which can be profitable to the farmers and ecological sustainable. These research will approve or deny some empirical perceptions from traditional practices. These research will also demonstrated to the farmers, the political decision-maker and management structures the need of a synergy between cocoa production and the economic value from of the ecosystem services produced in the farms.

Keywords

• Shade trees
• Agroforest
• cocoa pioneer front
• Traditional agricultural practices
• Ecosystem services