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The hurdles of service delivery integration in a pluralistic landscape: the Cameroonian cocoa sector

Purpose
We investigated the existence of mechanisms to achieve integrated service delivery aimed at fostering changes in farming practices and increased sustainability in the Cameroonian cocoa sector, and whether integration is effectively achieved.

Design/Methodology/Approach
In-depth key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a survey were conducted with innovation service providers and cocoa farmers. Social network analysis, thematic analysis, and descriptive analysis were performed.

Findings
Results showed a pluralistic landscape with few actors that could be intermediaries in a loose network. Formal and informal spaces of interaction resulting from public or private initiatives exist. Yet, service integration remains low due to limited coordination, cooperation and collaboration, a weak regulatory framework, and a context where service delivery mostly occurs as part of externally funded projects and programmes. Consequently, there is an overlap in interventions while some services are missing, many farmers are excluded from service delivery, and the long-term sustainability of the services provided is not guaranteed.

Practical Implications
To accelerate the transition to sustainable cocoa production systems, it is necessary to develop holistic and integrated solutions, and to increase synergies and inclusiveness in service delivery.

Theoretical Implications
The research suggests distinguishing between the mechanism leading to integration in service delivery and the resulting outcomes.

Originality/Value
We propose a framework to examine the effectiveness of service delivery by examining service integration at two levels: the existence of mechanisms to ensure that service integration takes place and the outcomes of the integration process.

Evaluating the determinants of deforestation and approaches to reforestation by cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire

Cocoa cultivation is a major driver of deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly within classified forests. This study explores the socio-economic and environmental motivations behind cocoa farming in these areas, focusing on land tenure security, soil fertility, and ethnic influences on tree species selection. It reveals that native and migrant farmers differ in their regional presence and decision-making, with key motivations including land access assurances and fertile soils. Farmers prioritize income, shade, and food when retaining trees, favoring species like Garcinia kola, Ricinodendron heudelotii, and Terminalia superba. Additionally, many preserve wooded plots for family use and inheritance. These insights highlight the need for targeted policies—such as land tenure reforms and incentives for tree retention—that align forest restoration with sustainable cocoa production and farmer livelihoods.

Agromorphological characteristics of Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) Baill. (Wild mango) and its effect on Theobroma cacao L. in traditional agroforestry systems

The study was conducted in the localities of Buyo, Duekoué, and Gueyo in western Côte d’Ivoire, within agroforestry systems that combine cocoa trees with Irvingia gabonensis. The aim was to enhance cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire by associating it with I. gabonensis to achieve sustainable production. To achieve this goal, plots with radii of 10 and 20 m around I. gabonensis trees were established to assess diameter, height, morphological characteristics of fruits and seeds, biomass, and carbon stock. The results showed uniformity in the morphological characteristics of I. gabonensis, fruit production, biomass, and carbon stock across all localities, except for height. The vigor and pod yield of cocoa trees near I. gabonensis were reduced, likely due to lower cocoa density in its vicinity. However, its presence in cocoa plantations increased biomass production and carbon stock. I. gabonensis also stabilized the incidence of rotted and gnawed pods. Therefore, integrating I. gabonensis into agroforestry plots could be beneficial, provided that cocoa density around it is reduced to minimize its impact on cocoa vigor and yield.

Enhancing food Security through Agroforestry: A Case Study in Petit-Bondoukou, Nawa Region, Côte d’Ivoire

Ensuring food security in tropical regions presents significant challenges due to the competition between cash crop cultivation and food crop production. This study focuses on Petit-Bondoukou, a key cocoa-producing zone in Côte d’Ivoire, investigating food diets and evaluating the potential of agroforestry systems to mitigate food insecurity. All cocoa farmers engage in agroforestry as a national strategy to combat cocoa swollen shoot disease through diversification. Three distinct agroforestry systems, involving various plant associations, were implemented by cocoa farmers. The research compared households practicing agroforestry with those not practicing it. The surveyed households commonly consumed cooked and processed roots, tubers, cereals, vegetables, meat, and pulses. Notably, pounded yam with okra sauce exhibited the highest dry matter content (94.66%), while guava and pounded yam with palm nut sauce displayed acidic pH values (4.13 and 4.61, respectively). Nutritional analyses revealed distinct attributes; rice and eggplant sauce had the lowest lipid content (2.90%), whereas rice with peanut sauce provided the highest protein rate (16.16%). Apart from fruits, all foods exceeded the recommended daily energy intake. Households practicing agroforestry relied on their farms for roots, tubers, and cereals, reducing the need to purchase food. Among households not practicing agroforestry, 80% experienced food shortages, compared to only 35% of households practicing agroforestry. Households practicing agroforestry had a higher intake of meat and pulses, with these pulses primarily sourced from their farms. Additionally, households practicing agroforestry exhibited higher consumption of vegetables. A higher percentage of households practicing agroforestry (78.6%) were identified as food secure compared to households not practicing agroforestry (38.9%). Moreover, households practicing agroforestry exhibited superior food consumption scores. This research provides insights into the role of agroforestry in enhancing food security in tropical regions.

Above-ground transformations in Agroforestry Systems in watersheds: case of cocoa agroforests of Central Cameroon

Local knowledge passed down from ancestors to descendants indicates that a considerable proportion of the forest margins of central Cameroon was previously covered by forest savannah. These forest savannahs have since been occupied by pioneer settlers who have developed traditional agroforestry systems. These agroforests are simultaneous land management systems, in which tree components occupy the same area as crops and, sometimes, animals. Similar to home or forest gardens, the agroforests possibly constituted the first transformation of original vegetation into a consciously managed agroforestry system. To date, their value is based on their flexibility, both economically (i.e. flexible demand on labour) and ecologically (i.e. diversity of species and different harvest periods for products) and in terms of the adaptation of products to local and national markets as well as household needs (Minchon, Mary and Bompard,1989).

Supporting tree crops development on the East coast of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD)

Crops such as cocoa, potatoes, soybean, dairy and coffee are economically important commodities in the tsunami-affected districts in Aceh. Targeting the major crops, CIRAD and local partners organised a training on “Local Economic Resources Development” (LERD) funded through the French public funds. During the training, potential of different products and commodities in the region as need for action to improve quality and productivity of these priority commodities for promoting at national or international markets. The participants came from the representatives of farmers, traders and technical ministries. During the training cacao was identified as the most potential for improving farmer income. Aceh Development Agency in consultation with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), and Syiah Kuala University (Banda Aceh) has selected Pidie District, in East coast of Aceh, for developing sustainable cocoa production in Aceh.

Supporting tree crops development on the East coast of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD)

Crops such as cocoa potatoes soybean dairy and coffee are economically important commodities in the tsunami-affected districts in Aceh. Targeting the major crops CIRAD and local partners organised a training on “Local Economic Resources Development” (LERD) funded through the French public funds. During the training potential of different products and commodities in the region as need for action to improve quality and productivity of these priority commodities for promoting at national or international markets. The participants came from the representatives of farmers traders and technical ministries. During the training cacao was identified as the most potential for improving farmer income. Aceh Development Agency in consultation with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and Syiah Kuala University (Banda Aceh) has selected Pidie District in East coast of Aceh for developing sustainable cocoa production in Aceh.

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