Cocoa cultivation is a major driver of deforestation in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly within classified forests. This study explores the socio-economic and environmental motivations behind cocoa farming in these areas, focusing on land tenure security, soil fertility, and ethnic influences on tree species selection. It reveals that native and migrant farmers differ in their regional presence and decision-making, with key motivations including land access assurances and fertile soils. Farmers prioritize income, shade, and food when retaining trees, favoring species like Garcinia kola, Ricinodendron heudelotii, and Terminalia superba. Additionally, many preserve wooded plots for family use and inheritance. These insights highlight the need for targeted policies—such as land tenure reforms and incentives for tree retention—that align forest restoration with sustainable cocoa production and farmer livelihoods.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.70026Altmetric score:
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Publication year
2025
Authors
Atangana, A.R.; Zahoui Gnangoh, J.; Kouame, C.; Minang, P.; Khasa, D.
Language
English
Keywords
cocoa (plant), deforestation, agroforestry, land tenure, soil fertility, tree species, farmers, sustainable agriculture, forest conservation
Source
Plants, People, Planet. 7 (6): 1674-1683
Geographic
Côte d’Ivoire
