Typology of Plantain Cultivation in a Context of Climate Change in the Agroecological Zone of Haut-Sassandra, Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The Haut-Sassandra region (Côte d'Ivoire), experiencing climate change with its many consequences, continues to produce bananas even if the level has fallen in recent years. This work was carried out to understand the adaptation strategies of plantain farmers facing the consequences of climate change. The methodological approach consisted of listing banana plantations of more than one hectare in Haut-Sassandra and carrying out a survey on plantain cultivation practices observed in this agroecological zone. The survey carried out made it possible to list 34 banana plantations with areas of between 1.5 and 5 hectares. For the establishment of banana plantations, slash-and-burn crops are the most favored (100%). The most used crop type is the crop association (85%) (cocoa (65%), coffee (15%) and food crops (5%)). Only 15% of banana plantations were monoculture. The fight against the wind is achieved by hedges made up of plots of rubber and teak surrounding the banana plantations. Symptoms of biotic and abiotic diseases were observed in all the banana plantations investigated. To maintain sustainability and better banana production, Haut-Sassandra planters combine several agroecological practices.