Impact of Swollen Shoot Disease on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in Côte d'Ivoire

Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease (CSSD) due to badnavirus species is endemic in West Africa and has been causing significant irreversible economy losses for smallholder cocoa farmers infected areas Ghana Côte d’Ivoire. The impact of the disease on farmers’ livelihoods investigated at farm households level To this end, propensity score matching method was used construct a counterfactual compare groups capturing situation affected before affects their plantations, based observable characteristics non households. A total 800 were randomly interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. results showed differences expenditures children's schooling health between with plantations by those non-infected plantations. It also found that swollen shoot plantation less modern services invested education. imply control policies strategies should take into account socioeconomic factors.