Involvement of Women in Adopting Climate Change Adaptation Practices in Cacao Farming in Côte d’Ivoire

The adverse effects of climate change are leading producers to adopt endogenous strategies. Nevertheless, the involvement of women in the adoption of adaptation practices was assessed in the localities of Abengourou, Gagnoa, Soubré and Vavoua. Interviews with cocoa farmers, 69 female and 288 male, show that drought (77.8%) is one of the most observed climatic factors by farmers in cocoa farms. In order to reduce the effects, 27% of women farmers preferred to set up nurseries close to water points and at home, compared to 15.2% of men. 73.7% Women leave the plants for 4 months before planting compared to 59.2% of men. In soil fertility management, 67.9% of women use leguminous plants as cover crops, compared to 52.8% of men. During the rainy season, they ferment the beans for 6 days (35% compared to 22% of men) and harvest the pods at least once a week (16% compared to 1% of men) in the absence of rain. Women are strongly involved in the adoption of practices at all stages of cocoa production. In terms of adaptation, it would be important that the practices identified be integrated into the training of women producers to enable them to be resilient.