Improving the administration, utilisation and management of natural resources in Côte d’Ivoire

Context

Agriculture is a determining factor in the economic development of Côte d’Ivoire. Two thirds of the Ivorian population are directly dependent on it. However, the drastic expansion of arable land for export crops has led to 80 per cent of Côte d’Ivoire’s forests now being considered as destroyed.

The Taï and Comoé national parks, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the Bossématié nature reserve are also at risk. In particular, the increasing agricultural, livestock and fishing activities of the population living in the areas surrounding the parks are overburdening the natural resources and threatening the unique biodiversity of the protected areas.

To date, state and civil society institutions have not been sufficiently empowered to organise the long-term use of natural resources in an integrative and cooperative manner and protect the national parks and nature reserves in the long term.

Objective

Integrated management to utilise natural resources in a long-term and environmentally friendly manner, increase agricultural productivity and expand protected area management is improved.

Approach

The project:

• Enhances the competences of the nature conservation authority in order to improve the governance of protected areas and manage them more efficiently.
• Promotes the long-term and environmentally friendly management of natural resources in selected areas. At the same time, it increases the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers through new cultivation methods and suitable seeds.
• Is introducing an agroforestry system to regenerate depleted soils, restore their agricultural productivity and combat climate change at the same time.

To this end, the project works with government organisations such as the nature conservation authority (OIPR) and the agricultural and forestry advisory services, as well as with civil society organisations. Project activities are carried out by HEAT/GFA Consulting Group, AMBERO Consulting/AHT Group and GFA Consulting/Unique.

The project is cofinanced by the European Union (EU).

Last update: December 2023