Sustainable rebuilding of forest cover in deforested agricultural landscapes in Côte d'Ivoire: Reconciling farmers' objectives with governance

Abstract

Abstract Commodity production in Côte d'Ivoire has led to significant forest loss, prompting interest in promoting forest restoration in agricultural landscapes. This study analyzed interviews with 1,752 cocoa farmers in 24 protected forests, representing 59.48% of the protected areas in the cocoa production zone. Farmers cited arable land scarcity, low soil fertility, and poor forest control as reasons for forest infiltration. They are willing to introduce 57 woody species, including 32 indigenous species, in and around the surveyed protected areas. Farmers assigned bequest values to preserved forest patches, and economic values to woodlands varied by farmers' origin. Actions to sustain woodland preservation were proposed, and the findings will aid decision-making on land use and forest regulation for restoration in Côte d'Ivoire.