Impact des fertilisants et produits phytosanitaires sur les rendements des cacaoyères dans le département de Lakota
Impact of fertilisers and phytosanitary products on cocoa yields in the department of Lakota

Summary/Abstract: Aging orchards, soil impoverishment, pests and diseases are having a negative impact on cocoa yields in the Lakota department. To remedy the situation, farmers use fertilisers and plant protection products to treat their orchards. The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of fertilisers and phytosanitary products on cocoa yields in Lakota. The data were obtained from documentary research on the subject, followed by field surveys based on a reasoned-choice sampling plan (quotas) and a simple random draw, which resulted in the selection of 19 villages and 190 cocoa farmers. The villages were selected on the basis of their importance in terms of cocoa production, while the farmers were chosen on the basis of their status and socio-demographic profile. The results show that 48% of cocoa farmers use chemical products, compared with 52% who do not. These products improve cocoa productivity and increase farmers' incomes, their harmful effects on the biotic ecosystem remain disastrous.

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