Rebuilding Tree Cover in Deforested Cocoa Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors Affecting the Choice of Species Planted

Intensive cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading producer, has grown at expense of forest cover. To reverse this trend, country adopted a “zero deforestation” agricultural policy and committed to rehabilitating its cover through planting high-value tree species landscapes using participatory approach. However, little is known regarding factors influencing farmers’ introduction landscapes. We tested hypothesis that ten previously reported influence agroforestry system adoption predict number choice farmers introduce farms. interviewed 683 households cocoa-producing zone d’Ivoire counted on their On average, two were recorded per surveyed farm. Generalized Poisson regression models revealed that, area, experience expected benefits, including income food, or “retention” when clearing land for establishment. The age farmer also influenced (p = 0.017) Fewer introduced into current intensive cocoa-production areas than “old cocoa-loops” forested areas. farms increased with benefits planting. planted age. Tree mostly selected provision shade cocoa, useful products (38%), from sale these (7%). Fruit most planted, while timber spared production.