Côte d'Ivoire
Cocoa-based forest, food
and livestock production
| Main info | |
|---|---|
|
Name / Location |
Beki / District of Abengourou, Eastern Côte d’Ivoire |
|
Partner |
Université Nangui Abrogoua – UNA |
|
Agroecological Zone |
Subhumid / humid |
|
Climate Classification |
Tropical, savannah
|
|
Land Ownership |
State-owned |
|
Total Area (ha) |
16,215 ha |
|
Area Under AF (ha) |
2,019 ha (Cocoa-based AF) |
|
Non-AF Farmland (ha) |
4,424 ha (Cocoa plantations not under AF) |
|
Support Organization |
Local forestry & agroforestry departments |
This site tackles the impacts of deforestation, pest outbreaks, and fragile ecosystems
Deep within the lush, tropical forests of eastern Côte d’Ivoire, the Living Lab is reimagining cocoa farming. Nestled in a state-protected forest, this site tackles the impacts of deforestation, pest outbreaks, and fragile ecosystems caused by cocoa monocultures.
Through community-driven innovation and research, the lab supports sustainable cocoa-based agroforestry systems that balance productivity with biodiversity. It also contributes to AfroGrow’s broader policy dialogue around sustainable cocoa production and land-use regeneration.
Main Challenges
- Cocoa monoculture stress, leading to soil depletion and biodiversity loss
- Pest outbreaks that threaten crop productivity
- Deforestation driven by agricultural expansion
- Weak enforcement of environmental and land-use regulations
- Social inequalities, particularly in access to land, resources, and income opportunities
Agroforestry response
In response, Côte d'Ivoire’s Living Lab is promoting a more resilient and inclusive agricultural model through cocoa-based agroforestry systems that integrate food crops and livestock. This approach restores ecological balance, diversifies livelihoods, and improves food security.
The main crops in this system include cocoa and a variety of local food crops, tailored to the needs and traditions of local communities. On the livestock side, small-scale integration of cows, sheep, goats, and chickens provides additional sources of nutrition and income, while supporting soil fertility through organic inputs.
By combining cocoa with food production and animal husbandry, the Living Lab aims to build a more balanced, sustainable agricultural landscape, one that supports both people and the planet.
