Pesticide substitution levers in integrated cocoa-fish farming systems in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

This studyexamines the relationship between cocoa farmingand theemergence offish farming inCôted'Ivoire, with a focus on the challenges associated with pesticide use on cocoa farms. It is based on surveys of 45 cocoa farmers also involved in fish farming, in various cocoa-growing regions. The results show that diversification into fish farming on cocoa farms leads to a reduction or even abandonment of the use of pesticides, mainly herbicides, byexperimenting with different alternatives.These includemechanical controlmethods, adaptation of cropping practices and the installation of ecological barriers. These various changes are made with a viewto preserving the incomes of cocoa-fish farmers, but also the environment in and around production farms. The levers likely to lead to widespread dissemination of these methods are discussed.