Reform of Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire: Between Diversification and Competition among Crops

Agriculture is the foundation of the social, economic and political development of Côte d’Ivoire. This agriculture was dominated by speculative crops depending on political orientation and with the aim of bridging national regional disparities until the year 2000. Initially, Ivorian export agriculture was at the center of political attention. It represents one third of GDP, two thirds of export earnings and employs more than two thirds of the active population (World Bank, 1994). However, this growth dynamic was confronted with external shocks from the 1980s. The country’s agricultural economy entered a deep recession. Internal agricultural restructuring reforms were implemented in 1980, slowed by the political-military crisis that hit the country in December 1999. Since then, new rorms have been introduced. However, in their feasibility, they are similar to a kind of diversification of agriculture, highlighting a notion of “duality†according to Chaléard (2003). This paper examines and compares the reforms and explains why and how their implementation was difficult. It then recommends ways to make the reforms more sustainable and effective. The methodology is based on a theoretical framework and data collection (documentary research and Focus Group Discussion with the Directors of services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the Chambers of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire) and a questionnaire. According to the results obtained. For 64% of farmers, the reforms only concern export crops. Subsistence agriculture remains an unorganized sector in which state reforms remain very weak. We note a disengagement of the State or an absence of communication in favor of subsistence agriculture. Reforms are also underway for the food sector. This requires stakeholder involvement, participatory management and global strategic orientations based on agricultural potential for sustainable agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire.