Enhancing food Security through Agroforestry: A Case Study in Petit-Bondoukou, Nawa Region, Côte d'Ivoire

Alain R. Atangana¹, Edith Adouko Agbo^{1, 2,} , Prisca Kossia Kossonou², Patrice Kouassi Tehia² and Christophe Kouamé¹

¹CIFOR-ICRAF Côte d’Ivoire Programme, Angré 7ème Tranche, Cocody, 08 Abidjan BP 2823, Côte d’Ivoire

²Université Nangui Abrogoua, Food science and technology Department, Nutrition and food security laboratory, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire

Cite this paper:
Alain R. Atangana, Edith Adouko Agbo, Prisca Kossia Kossonou, Patrice Kouassi Tehia and Christophe Kouamé. Enhancing food Security through Agroforestry: A Case Study in Petit-Bondoukou, Nawa Region, Côte d'Ivoire. Journal of Food Security. 2025; 13(1):38-48. doi: 10.12691/jfs-13-1-5

Abstract

Ensuring food security in tropical regions presents significant challenges due to the competition between cash crop cultivation and food crop production. This study focuses on Petit-Bondoukou, a key cocoa-producing zone in Côte d'Ivoire, investigating food diets and evaluating the potential of agroforestry systems to mitigate food insecurity. All cocoa farmers engage in agroforestry as a national strategy to combat cocoa swollen shoot disease through diversification. Three distinct agroforestry systems, involving various plant associations, were implemented by cocoa farmers. The research compared households practicing agroforestry with those not practicing it. The surveyed households commonly consumed cooked and processed roots, tubers, cereals, vegetables, meat, and pulses. Notably, pounded yam with okra sauce exhibited the highest dry matter content (94.66%), while guava and pounded yam with palm nut sauce displayed acidic pH values (4.13 and 4.61, respectively). Nutritional analyses revealed distinct attributes; rice and eggplant sauce had the lowest lipid content (2.90%), whereas rice with peanut sauce provided the highest protein rate (16.16%). Apart from fruits, all foods exceeded the recommended daily energy intake. Households practicing agroforestry relied on their farms for roots, tubers, and cereals, reducing the need to purchase food. Among households not practicing agroforestry, 80% experienced food shortages, compared to only 35% of households practicing agroforestry. Households practicing agroforestry had a higher intake of meat and pulses, with these pulses primarily sourced from their farms. Additionally, households practicing agroforestry exhibited higher consumption of vegetables. A higher percentage of households practicing agroforestry (78.6%) were identified as food secure compared to households not practicing agroforestry (38.9%). Moreover, households practicing agroforestry exhibited superior food consumption scores. This research provides insights into the role of agroforestry in enhancing food security in tropical regions.

Keywords:
Cocoa agroforestry Food availability Food consumption Food diets Food security

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Figures

References:

[1]	USDA, A definition of food insecurity, https:// www.feedingamerica.org/ hunger-in-america/ food-insecurity, 2023 (accessed 15 April 2023).
[2]	V. Bjomlund, H. Bjomlund, A. van Rooyen, “Why food insecurity persists in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of existing evidence”. Food Security, 14: 845-864, 2022.
[3]	MINADER CI, Rapport de suivi de la saison agricole et de la vulnérabilité alimentaire: rapport final, août 2018. Ministère de l’Agriculture et du Développement Rural, Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, 2018.
[4]	E. Agbo, A. Mahyao, A.D. Konan, L. Coulibaly, A. Kouassi, K. Kehlenbeck, C. Kouamé, Production, consumption and nutrition survey in a cocoa farming area in the Nawa region. Report. ICRAF, Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, 2014. 137 pages.
[5]	INS, ICF, Enquête Démographique et de Santé de Côte d’Ivoire, 2021. USA, Rockville, Maryland, Rockville, 2022. 51 pages.
[6]	A.E. Agbo, C. Kouamé, N.D. N’Doua, A. Kouassi, Brou Kouakou, “Assessment of cocoa producers’ children nutritional status in the Nawa Region, Côte d’Ivoire”. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 5 (8): 606-613, 2017.
[7]	M. El Hiuoi, A. Soualem, A.O.T. Ahami, Y. Aboussaleh, S. Rusinek, K. Dik, “Socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics relative to the scholastic performance in a rural school of Kenitra (Morocco)”. Anthropo, 17: 25-33, 2008.
[8]	FAO, The state of food and agriculture. FAO, Rome, 2013. 114 pages.
[9]	L. Coulibaly, Evaluation des habitudes alimentaires dans la zone d’exécution de V4C. Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, 2013. 21 pages.
[10]	R.H. Jamnadass, I.K. Dawson, S. Franzel, R.R.B. Leakey, D. Mithofer, F.K. Akinnifesi, Z. Tchoundjeu, “Improving livelihoods and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa through the promotion of indigenous and exotic fruit production in smallholders’ agroforestry: A review”. International Forestry Review, 13 (3) 338-354, 2011.
[11]	R.R.B. Leakey, “A re-boot of tropical agriculture benefits food production, rural economies, health, social justice and the environment”. Nature Food, 1: 260-265, 2020.
[12]	R.R.B. Leakey,” Potential for novel food from agroforestry: A review”. Food Chemistry, 66 (1): 1-14, 1999.
[13]	S. Maranz, W. Kpikpi, Z. Wiesman, A. De Saint Sauveur, B. Chapagain, “Nutritional values and indigenous preferences of shea fruits (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gartn. F.) in African agroforestry parklands”. Economic Botany, 58: 588-600, 2004.
[14]	S. McMullin, K. Njogu, B. Wekesa, A. Guchuiri, E. Ngethe, B. Stadlmayr, R. Jamnadass, K. Kehlenbeck, “Developing fruit tree portfolios that link agriculture more effectively with nutrition and health: a new approach for providing year-round micronutrients to smallholder farmers”. Food Security, 11: 1355-1372, 2019.
[15]	A.R. Atangana, G.J. Zahoui, Y.A. Kouassi, T.d’A. Kouakou, N.N.A. Mian, C. Kouamé, “Rebuilding tree cover in deforested cocoa landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors affecting the choice of species planted”. Forests, 12: 198, 2021.
[16]	Conseil du Café Cacao Côte d’Ivoire, Recensement des producteurs de café cacao et leurs vergers, CCC, Abidjan, Rapport 2020. 33 powerpoint slides.
[17]	R.R.B. Leakey, P. Greenwell, M.N. Hall, A.R. Atangana, C. Usoro, P.O. Anegbeh, J.M. Fondoun, Z. Tchoundjeu, “Domestication of Irvingia gabonensis: 4. Tree-to-tree variation in food-thickening properties and in fat and protein contents of dika nut”. Food Chemistry, 90: 365-378, 2005.
[18]	ENSEA, Etude de référence sur la productivité du cacao dans la région de la Nawa. Rapport. ENSEA, Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, 2015.
[19]	HKI, PAM, Evaluation de base de l’état nutritionnel des enfants âgés de 6 à 59 mois dans les régions rurales de Maradi et de Zinder. Rapport de deux enquêtes. 2005. 115 pages.
[20]	AOAC, Official Methods of Analysis. Association of official analytical chemists, 14th Edition, Sydney Williams, editor, Association of Analytical Chemists Inc., Arlington, VA, 1990.
[21]	FAO, Measurement and assessment of food deprivation and under-nutrition. International Scientific Symposium. Rome: FAO, Rome, 2002. http://www.fao.org/3/ay4250e.pdf.
[22]	G. Livesey, M. Elia, Short chain fatty acids as an energy source in the colon: metabolism and clinical implications. Physiological and Clinical Aspects of Short Chain Fatty Acids. Cambridge University Press, UK, 1995. pages 472-482.
[23]	S.S. Nielsen, Food analysis laboratory manual, 3rd edition, Kluwer academic /plenum publishers, New York, 2003. pages 87-88.
[24]	S. Tomohiro, Determination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) by indophenol method. In: Laboratory Manual for Food analysis. Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, 1990. 49 pages.
[25]	M. Dubois, K. Gilles, J. Hamilton, P. Rebers, F. Smith, “Colorimetric methods for determination of sugars and related substances”. Analytical Chemistry, 28: 350-356, 1956.
[26]	P. Bernfeld, “Amylases, α and β. Methods in Enzymology”, NewYork, USAColswick SP, Kaplan NO Academic Press, 1: 149–158, 1955.
[27]	S. McDonald, P.D. Prenzler, M. Antolovich, K. Robards, “Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of olive extracts”. Food Chemistry 73 (1): 73-84, 2001.
[28]	IITA, Tuber and root crops production manual 9, 1982, 244.
[29]	G. Kennedy, T. Ballard, M. Dop, Guide pour mesurer la diversité alimentaire au niveau du ménage et de l’individu. Rapport de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Alimentation et l’Agriculture, FAO, Rome, 2013. 56 pages.
[30]	FAO, IFAD, WFP, The state of food insecurity in the World in 2014. Strengthening the enabling environment for food security and nutrition, FAO, Rome, 2014. https:// www.fao.org/ 3/ i4030e/ i4030e.pdf.
[31]	USAID, Household food insecurity access scale (HFAS) for measurement of food access: indicator guide, 2006. 32 pages.
[32]	S. Thiele, C. Weiss, “Consumer demand for food diversity: evidence for Germany”. Food Policy, 28(2): 99-115, 2003.
[33]	J.E. Arsenault, E.A. Yakes, M.M. Islam, M.B. Hossain, T. Ahmed, C. Hotz, B. Lewis, A.S. Rahman, K.M. Jamil, Kenneth H. Brown, “Very Low Adequacy of Micronutrient Intakes by Young Children and Women in Rural Bangladesh Is Primarily Explained by Low Food Intake and Limited Diversity”, The Journal of Nutrition, 143 (2): 197-203, 2013.
[34]	A. Doustmohammadian, N. Omidvar, N. Keshavarz-Mohammadi, H. EiniZinab, M. Amini, M. Abdollahi, Z. Amirhamidi, H. Haidari, “Low food and nutrition literacy (FNLIT): a barrier to dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy in school age children”. BMC Res Notes 13 (286): 1-8, 2020.
[35]	A. Hasanah, B. Kharisma, S.S. Remi, A.M. Adam, A.Y.M. Siregar, “Food diversity: its relation to children’s health and consequent economic burden”. BMC Public Health, 24 (1155): 1-8, 2024.
[36]	P.C. Weerasekara, C.R. Withanachchi, G.A.S. Ginigaddara, A. Ploeger, “Understanding dietary diversity, dietary practices and changes in food patterns in marginalized societies in Sri Lanka”. Foods, 9 (11): 1-24, 2020.
[37]	EEC, Council directive 90/496/EEC of 24 September 1990 on nutrition labelling of foodstuffs. http:// www.foodcounts.com/ recommended-daily-allowances/, 1990, (Accessed 15 February 2023).
[38]	Y. Lanzéni, S. Zana, K. Mamadou, Les jardins familiaux: un apport à la sécurité alimentaire des ménages dans la ville de Ferkessédougou (Nord de la Côte d’Ivoire). Rapport, Abidjan. 2018. 10 pages.
[39]	I. Stankovic, Codex alimentarius. (ed. Encyclopedia of Food and Health), 2016. pages 191-196.
[40]	T.O.S. Popoola, A.L. Kolapo, O.P. Afolabi, “Biochemical deterioration of soybean daddawa-A condiment”. Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment, 5 (1): 67-70, 2007.
[41]	P. Bourgeois, G.S. Aurore, J. Abaul, J. Joseph, “Valorisation de la graine de goyave: huile de l’amande et poudre abrasive de la coque”. Cahiers Agricultures, 7: 105-109, 1998.
[42]	M. Foyet, T.J. Tchango, “Guava and passion fruit processing pulp extraction, nectar formulation and preservation”. Fruits, 49 (1): 61-70, 1994.
[43]	X. Guo, T. Zhang, L. Shi, M. Gong, J. Jin, Y. Zhang, R. Liu, M. Chan, Q. Jin, X. Wang, “The relationships between lipid phytochemicals, obesity and its related chronic diseases”. Food & Function, 9 (12): 6048-6062, 2018.
[44]	A.S. Greenberg, R.A. Coleman, F.B. Kraemer, J.L. McManaman, M.S. Obi, V. Puri, Q.W. Yan, H. Miyoshi, D.G. Mashek, “The role of lipid droplets in metabolic disease in rodents and humans”. The Journal of Clinical Investigation 121 (6): 2102-2110, 2011.
[45]	A.S. Truswell, “Food carbohydrates and plasma lipids – an update”. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 59 (3): 710S-718S, 1994.
[46]	P.J. Havel, “Dietary fructose: implications for dysregulation of energy homeostasis and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism”. Nutrition Reviews, 63 (5): 133-157, 2005.
[47]	B.G. Kipre, A.A. Coffi, A.A. Adima, T. Gokou, Y. Ito, “Total chemical analysis of the seed of Tieghemella heckelii by diverse chromatography techniques”. Journal of Liquid Chromatography and Related Technologies, 31 (2): 250 – 262, 2007.
[48]	T. Vaskonen, “Dietary minerals and modification of cardiovascular risk factors”. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 14 (9): 492-506, 2003.
[49]	O.A. Levander, “Fruit and vegetable contributions to dietary mineral intake in human health and disease”. HortScience, 25 (12) 1486-1488, 1990.
[50]	A.D. Jones, F.M. Ngure, G. Pelto, S.L. Young, “What are we assessing when we measure food security? A compendium and current review of current metrics”. Advances in Nutrition, 4 (5): 481-505, 2013.
[51]	C. Duffy, G.G. Toth, R.P.O. Hagan, P. C. McKeown, S. A. Rahman, Y. Widyaningsih, T. C. H. Sunderland, C. Spillane, “Agroforestry contributions to smallholder farmer food security in Indonesia”. Agroforest Systems 95 (6): 1109–1124, 2021.
[52]	W. Marivoet, E. Becquey, B. Van Campenhout, “How well does the Food Consumption Score capture diet quantity, quality and adequacy across regions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)?” Food Sec. 11: 1029–1049, 2019.
[53]	R.E. Drysdale, M. Moshabela, U. Bob, “Adapting the Coping Strategies Index to measure food insecurity in the rural district of iLembe, South Africa”. Food, Culture & Society, 22 (1): 95–110, 2019.