Agroforestry and integrated pest management: the cacao sector in Côte d'Ivoire

16 April. Online. Agroforestry and integrated pest management: focus on CSSV in the cacao sector in Côte d'Ivoire

This session organised by EC/INTPA introduced agroforestry as a key agroecological practice that integrated trees with crops and livestock to deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits. It highlighted how agroforestry improved soil conservation, biodiversity, water quality, and carbon sequestration while diversifying farmer incomes and strengthening food security and resilience. The discussion then focused on cocoa systems in Côte d’Ivoire, where production had declined due to pests, diseases, and climate pressures, particularly the cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV). Researchers showed that plant diversification, shade trees, and barrier crops had reduced disease spread and improved resilience, while emphasizing the complexity of the disease system and the importance of ecological interactions in pest regulation.

Private sector experience demonstrated how agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) had been implemented to address sustainability challenges in cocoa production. Barry Callebaut had shifted from distributing seedlings to promoting natural tree regeneration, finding that naturally regenerated trees performed better in growth, carbon storage, and survival rates. Their programs had combined farmer training, ecosystem service incentives, and landscape-level interventions such as barrier crops to manage CSSV. Early results had shown strong farmer adoption and cost efficiencies, while reinforcing the need for continuous engagement, appropriate species selection, and integration of research into practice.

At the policy level, the Coffee Cocoa Council had outlined a national strategy to scale agroforestry, structured around climate resilience, reforestation, income diversification, and coordination. Efforts had included large-scale seedling distribution, carbon finance initiatives, and programs to support rural entrepreneurship, particularly for youth and women. However, challenges had remained in harmonizing approaches, aligning with standards, ensuring effective monitoring, and scaling initiatives across millions of producers. The discussions concluded that collective action—especially through cooperatives—had been essential for landscape-level disease management and successful adoption of agroforestry practices, alongside stronger integration of research, policy, and field implementation.

• Contribution of Agroforestry to Integrated Pest Management (focus on CSSV) and the Cocoa4Future experience, by Régis Babin (CIRAD).

 

• Private sector-research collaboration: the example of assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in eastern Côte d’Ivoire: lessons learned and scaling-up prospects, by Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products.

 

• National stakeholders' vision of their collaboration with the private sector and the potential of agroforestry, by the Coffee Cocoa Council (CCC) or the Côte d'Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative 
  
  
• Implementation of the DeSIRA EU-funded “Strengthening Agroecological Transition & Agroforestry for Africa” (SATAF) Project: first lessons learned and insights following scoping missions in Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire, by the European Forest Institute. 
  
  The specific objectives of the SATAF) Project is to contribute to the agroecological and agroforestry transition in the cashew, cocoa and coffee sectors in West and East Africa by promoting the adoption of shared principles and sustainable practices.