S15 - Session O3 - Cocoa and coffee agroforestry systems constraints analysis in order to improve the reforestation process : case of Togo

Authors: Marius Céron-Siméon, Ayi K. Adden, Samuel Laboisse *, Ludovic Andres

The study was carried out in Wawa district in Togo, and is based on two agro-ecological zones: the mountains of Akposso plateau and the Litime piedmonts and plains. These zones are suffering from present different levels of deforestation. Actions carried out by different actors focus on reforestation processes that attempt to take into account this case diversity. Agroforestry promotion is one of them. Indeed, local farmers produce cocoa, coffee, timber and various non-timber forest products on crop systems combining different and complex maintenance of plant strata. Those systems have various functions such as shade, fertility and ecosystem services. Based on the needs in terms of reforestation and systems specificities, the present study undertakes a precise classification of agroforestry systems and highlights their key constraints in order to integrate the logics of the producers and the management of the resources associated. The method of the study relies on a historical analysis through interviews to understand the trajectories of change. Based on a comprehensive approach and a system diagnosis, the agronomic and technical-economic study of farm typologies has made it possible to clearly identify the limits of the development of agroforestry and reforestation. The results show a process of development of cocoa and coffee crops at the expense of forests since the 1960s. Changes in the area have induced five agroforestry systems characterized by the type of species, density, age of the plantation and type of association. The analysis of these systems identified environmental constraints; agronomic constraints; availability of plant material; limits related to land competition; economic limits; social limits. But adapted solutions to the diversity of systems are finally proposed : improved assisted natural regeneration, creating a common interest, agronomic diversification of the systems, sustainable and innovate renovation of the old systems