Agroecological approaches promoting healthy and sustainable production cannot succeed without the buy-in of producers. In terms of agroforestry, particularly cocoa-based agroforestry, several models exist in Côte d’Ivoire. These include traditional agroforestry systems that have been identified in several regions, including central Côte d’Ivoire. The motivation of producers in the centre to adopt and sustain these agroforestry systems remains strong despite the low yields observed compared to the national average. This study was conducted to understand how farmers’ perceptions of associated trees influence the sustainability of traditional cocoa agroforestry systems. It set out to analyse producers’ perceptions of trees, given that their empirical knowledge and cultural perceptions play a key role in the conservation of trees that contribute to the resilience, diversification of uses, and sustainability of cocoa-based agroforestry systems. To this end, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among 102 producers in the Kokumbo sub-prefecture (central Côte d’Ivoire). These surveys were supplemented by floristic and phyto-ecological data collected on the respondents’ plantations. Descriptive and textual analyses of the data collected show that trees are considered an integral part of cocoa plantations. They enable cocoa trees to withstand the long dry season imposed by the climate in this area. The plantation also provides various ecosystem services, as the associated woody species are selected for their beneficial contribution to the cocoa tree and/or the producer. This is the case with Ricinodendron heudelotii, a multifunctional tree that, in addition to being used in medicine and as a condiment, is beneficial to cocoa trees. However, the challenges faced by rural households are prompting some producers to turn away from the values they have been taught and increasingly move towards less sustainable full-sun production systems, thereby threatening the local climate balance and the food security of rural households.

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.