Cocoa production and constraints

The aim of this Master’s project was to analyze the socio-economic impact of the SWOLLEN SHOOT disease on cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire: the case of the GAGNOA department. Four variables influencing cocoa production conditions were analyzed: area destroyed, quantity of beans sold, yield per hectare and producer income. The results showed that the current yield is 121.2kg/ha, justifying a considerable drop in the quantity and weight of cocoa beans to 95 percent, and a net cocoa income fluctuating between -459,000 and 1156468 FCFA. This situation is continuously deteriorating the living conditions of the producer and his immediate environment. Growers convert their fields to fallow or other crops. SWOLLEN SHOOT thus has a negative impact on cocoa production. If nothing is done, cocoa will become a rare commodity in Côte d’Ivoire. This will put the people who depend on this crop in difficult conditions.