This is a presentation showing the preliminary results of a survey conducted in the south west of Cote d’Ivoire by Emilie Smith Dumont et al. 2012, it included 355 cocoa farms and aimed at exploring perceptions of trees associated with cocoa with the aim of developing sustainable cocoa agroforestry options.

1. FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF TREES
ON COCOA FARMS IN THE REGION OF SOUBRE
E. Smith Dumont (ICRAF), G.M. Gnahoua (CNRA, Foret)
A. Ohouo (ICRAF, Soubre), P. Vaast (ICRAF)
GRAND BASSAM
COCOA AGROFORESTRY WORKSHOP 25-28 February 2013

2. Background 1/2
• Cocoa cultivation was initially introduced and
developed in agroforesty systems BUT over the
last 40 years, promotion of hybrid cocoa variety
under minimal shade or without shade in order
to optimise yields and also prevent cocoa from
being stressed by the forest trees (Asare, 2005)
•
Cocoa plantations were largely established in
concert with the timber industry by clearing
forestland.
• Advice was provided on how to remove trees
with a focus on a list of (45) native trees
antagonistic to cocoa association in cocoa
cultivation manuals (SATMACI, 1984; FIRCA, 2008)
whilst there was little advise given about
compatible species (Asare, 2005).

3. Background 2/2
• Scientific research on cocoa agroforestry in Cote d’Ivoire
remains scarce. Some of the studies initiated in the last
decades have been hindered by the crisis over the last
decades
• Few results are available except for studies focusing on
exotic trees and more specifically on leguminous species
and the role of improved fallows for cocoa replanting
strategies (Gnahoua et al, 1998, 2008; Balle et al. 1994)
• There is still a considerable lack of scientific evidence
behind our understanding of many native species and their
interactions with cocoa (Asare, 2005).

4. Rationale of the study
Within the V4C project, there is an urgent need to develop
and scale up sustainable agroforestry technologies that:
1. enhance good agricultural practices through synergies
(climate amelioration/fertility improvement/pests and disease
regulation (including CSSV)
2. support diversification and food security within cocoa
production systems
3. meet environmental sustainability goals and assist farmers
in meeting eco-certification criteria
This, however, can only be achieved through a rigorous and
participatory process of tree selection to help match species
to different farmers’ needs and farm conditions.

5. Objectives of the survey
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY
• Identify, amongst farmers, preferences about
companion trees in cocoa plots
• Analyse tree species desired by farmers to
present a preliminary list of candidate species for
agroforestry trials and interventions in the V4C
project

6. METHODOLOGY: Sampling strategy
Structured questionnaire: mix of open-ended questions with systematic questions
about trees found on cocoa plots
Large sample: 355 farmers interviewed in total.
The sample was stratified in terms of origin, enrolment in an ecocertification scheme (UTZ & Rainforest Alliance) and the proximity
of protected forest areas (buffer zones and rural zones)

7. PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Tree Diversity on cocoa farms
139 species present on cocoa farms
• 63 species scientifically verified
• 76 species recorded with
local names

8. PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Key products from trees in cocoa fields
Xylopia aethiopica
2996 RECORDS OF TREES DISCUSSED
WITH COCOA FARMERS
NUTRITION: 45%
INCOME 25%
MEDICINAL 15%
FIREWOOD 12%
TIMBER 5%
AKPI Ricinodendron

9. Farmers’ general perception
of companion trees in cocoa fields
• The large majority of cocoa
farmers have a general
favourable opinion of
companion trees in cocoa
fields
• 95% cocoa farmers expressed
a favourable opinion
• 1% of cocoa farmers stated
that all trees needed to be
removed to establish a cocoa
plantation.

10. Benefits of companions trees:
KEY ECOLOGICAL SERVICES
• Most important environmental services associated with
companion trees in cocoa fields
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF COMPANION TREES
IN COCOA FIELDS
TOTAL
C
NC
Protection of cocoa from heat stress
70%
40%
30%
Improving fertility
53%
30%
23%
"Bringing the rain"
28%
16%
12%
Increase soil moisture availability
24%
13%
11%
Erosion control
20%
13%
7%
L'arbre est-il bon pour la fertilité du sol ?
250
200
150
100
50
0
BEAUCOUP
MOYEN
UN PEU
NE SAIT PAS
NON

11. Constraints of associated trees
• Farmers were asked to
state the three most
important problems of
associating shade trees in
cocoa plots.
CONSTRAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH
COMPANION TREES IN COCOA FIELDS
TOTAL
C
NC
Physical damage
33%
18%
15%
Attracts squirrels and rats
24%
14%
10%
Nutrient competition
7%
4%
3%
Increase pod rot
7%
5%
2%

12. Constraints:
Species variation according to farmers
250
L'arbre cause t-il des dégats physiques aux cacaoyers ?
1- Fruitiers
200
250
BEAUCOUP
MOYEN
UN PEU
NE SAIT PAS
NON
150
100
L'arbre cause t-il des dégats physiques aux cacaoyers ?
2 - Autres arbres
200
BEAUCOUP
MOYEN
UN PEU
NE SAIT PAS
NON
150
100
50
50
0
0
250
200
L'arbre attire t-il les rongeurs ?
1 - Fruitiers
250
BEAUCOUP
200
MOYEN
150
UN PEU
NE SAIT PAS
100
NON
L'arbre attire t-il les rongeurs ?
2 - Autres Arbres
BEAUCOUP
MOYEN
150
UN PEU
NE SAIT PAS
100
50
50
0
0
NON

13. Farmers’ preferences for associated
tree species
• The large majority of
farmers expressed their
interest for having more
trees in cocoa fields.
• 95% of farmers wanted to at
least one additional tree
species in their cocoa fields.

14. Farmers’ perceptions of tree compatibility with cocoa
General compatibility of cocoa companion tree species as perceived by farmers
in the South-West region of Cote d’Ivoire ((: compatible; : incompatible)

15. Preferences for trees for other niches on
farm
• Desire to plant trees in
other farm niches
Rubber: 52%
Palm oil: 5%
Teak: 5%
Other fruit trees species:
Anacardium, Akpi

16. Geographical differences in farmers’
preferences for trees
Avocado & Akpi: preferences accross
all 4 sites
Geographical differences in species
preferences:
Species awareness:
E.g. Gliricidia in Kragui (STCP)
Gligbeadji: buffer zone of Gazetted
forest only 4 farmers desired
Frake/Framire due to land issues and
fear of being evacuated

17. Advices on tree association
with cocoa trees
• There was a strong influence of
extension services
(ANADER,UTZ, Paysans
relais, SODEFOR, Rainforest Alliance)
in providing advice on shade trees
especially driven by the enrolment
into certification.
75% of certified farmers had received advice
about the benefits of companion trees
27% of non certified farmers had received
advice
Advice provided by extension services
clearly focused on a few species
(Frake, Framire, Gliricidia) and this
reflects in farmers preferences for
shade tree association

18. Conclusions
• Despite the massive deforestation trends and low numbers of tree species
retained on farms there is a large floristic diversity in cocoa fields: 139
species
• 95% of cocoa farmers expressed a favourable opinion of cocoa tree
associations. Reasons are key products and services including water and
heat stress reduction and soil fertility.
• The most important problems associated with shade trees in cocoa plots
relate to physical damage, attraction of squirrels and rats, competition
for nutrients and increasing pod rot incidence and excessive shading.
These differ according to different trees and their attributes

19. Conclusions
• The large majority farmers expressed their
interest for planting trees in cocoa fields with
95% farmers wanted to plant at least one
additional tree species in their cocoa fields.
Overall, farmers expressed the desire to have 50
different species
• The 7 most desired species (Frake, Akpi
(Ricinodendron heudelotii), Avocado, Orange
tree, Framire, Iroko, Mango) were selected as
initial candidate species.

20. Conclusions
• Further in depth research of local knowledge underpinning farmer’s
tree management decisions is needed to better understand how a
suite of trees and arrangements can be matched to different needs
and farm conditions.
• Further analysis of scientific and technical information about tree
species is also required to consolidate knowledge about tree cocoa
association to ensure sustainable agroforestry interventions.
• Baseline information is available on tree and cocoa interaction for a
wide range of trees. This will support further research to explore
the potential of a larger diversity of trees to match different
farmers’ needs and ecological niches.