Tropentag, September 11 - 13, 2024, Vienna "Explore opportunities... for managing natural resources and a better life for all"

Improving livestock production: Opportunities and challenges for farmers in central Côte d’Ivoire

¹Georg-August University Göttingen, Dept. of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science
²Cheikh Anta Diop University Dakar (UCAD)
³Felix Houphouët Boigny University, Swiss Center for Scientific Research
⁴National Polytechnic Inst. Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-FHB)

Abstract

Climate variability and a constant population rise are among the factors that negatively influence livestock production in West Africa. Particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, these factors contribute to important disparities between livestock production and demand. To meet the demand for livestock products (e.g. beef), the country relies heavily on importation. In order to decrease the dependency on imports while meeting the increasing demands for livestock-based protein, an inland increase in production is necessary. However, a first entry point in developing and promoting sustainable production mechanisms will require the evaluation of existing production systems.
Therefore, this study aims to assess the opportunities and challenges for farmers of cattle production in Central Côte d’Ivoire with a special focus on the effects of climate change. To achieve this, a comprehensive survey across 120 farms in two different climatic areas was conducted in Côte d’Ivoire. The two regions involved are Toumodi which is located in the district Lacs and Bouaké which is located in the district Vallée du Bandama.
The main objectives of the present investigation are (i) to understand the current production systems of beef cattle and (ii) to evaluate the perceptions of livestock farmers concerning the current impacts of climate change on production. In addition, this study aims (iii) to identify the adaptation strategies for beef cattle production systems which are currently used, as well as, to explore farmers knowledge about innovative climate-resilient adaptation strategies. The results of the study are intended to help promote livestock production to attain self-sufficiency in Côte d’Ivoire with a broader implication for the Coastal countries in West Africa.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, cattle, climate change perception, Côte d’Ivoire, smallholder

Contact Address: Theresa Ebert, Georg-August University Göttingen, Dept. of Crop Sciences, Grassland Science, Von-Siebold-Straße 8, 37075 Göttingen, Germany, e-mail: thresa.ebertstud.uni-goettingen.de