Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 268 women in the Sous-préfecture of Kokumbo in central Côte d’Ivoire, in order to provide information on the role of women in the gathering, processing and marketing of products from species associated with cocoa trees in agroforestry systems. These interviews were coupled with direct observations alongside the women involved. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the investigations indicated that the majority of women (74.25%) of age to collect products from cocoa agroforests are between 16 and 50 years old. Over 65% of the women were illiterate, and 31.34% were heads of cocoa farms. The majority (41.05%) of women surveyed are actively involved in harvesting the associated products. Product processing in the study area is carried out entirely by women (100%). Processed products enable women to make better use of their produce. Also, it is during the lean season that the products bring in the most profit. Harvested produce is used primarily for household food consumption, with the surplus sold on the market. Income from the sale of cocoa products contributes to improving household living conditions, and also to the financial empowerment of women, while preserving the forest. The domestication of certain associated products should be envisaged by the women in order to have them available all year round for household consumption and eventual commercialization.
Women are key players in the agricultural sector in most developing countries. However, their roles in different agricultural production systems are often poorly known. The present study, conducted in the Centre of Côte d'Ivoire, aimed to highlight the main activities carried out by women in the management of cocoa-based agroforestry systems. To achieve this aim, interviews were conducted of 268 women involved in the management of cocoa agroforestry systems in six localities. Among them, more than 69 % are producers’ wives. The interviews helped identifying the activities performed by these women in these systems. The results show that women are mainly involved in the maintenance of the plantation (91.4 %) during the first year. They are more active in the creation of nurseries (28 %), in the plantation (37.7 %), in the harvest of cocoa pods (48.9 %), and in the maintenance of the beans (36.4 %). Despite this, it is clear that the majority of activities related to cocoa farming is the responsibility of men. More work with stakeholders (men and women) in all the producing areas will help to better understand the organization of work in cocoa agroforests to provide more information on women’s place in cocoa farming and their influence on the choice of species associated with cocoa trees.
Chimpanzees communities depend highly on plant resources availability and the stability of their habitats. To characterize the territories of chimpanzees living in Taï National Park, this study aimed to analyze species diversity and structural parameters of these habitats. Rectangular transect of 93 ha were established in three chimpanzee territories. On each transect, trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm were identified, measured, and counted. Two hundred sixty four (264) plant species belonging to 180 genera and 52 botanical families were recorded in the three territories. The most important families are Ebenaceae, Fabaceae, and Malvaceae. The dominant plant species are Diospyros mannii, Calpocalyx brevibracteatus, and Coula edulis. The chimpanzees feed on the leaves and fruits of these three species. The studied territories present a density (486.5 individuals/ha) and a basal area (30.88 m2/ha) similar to those of most of tropical forests. Vegetation structure reveals that those habitats are stable with high regeneration capacity. By contributing to a best knowledge of chimpanzees’ habitats, this study establishes a scientific base for their communities monitoring in the Taï National Park.
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