Macro-economics Policies and Deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The development of Cote d’Ivoire is due to the agricultural sector at the expense of forest land. The objective of this study was, first, to describe the characteristics of agriculture and agricultural practices as well as their consequences on deforestation; secondly, to deal with macroeconomic policies, their impact on deforestation and on the environment, and their impacts assessment methodologies; but also to illustrate the opportunities available to the Ivorian agriculture. The results of our study indicated that the country had abundant natural resources (forest land) which have not been rationally managed. The majority of the population was rural, possessing many small farms. The agriculture sector was diverse regarding crops and production systems of which the most dominant was the traditional or extensive system. This sector is very important for the economy of the country, from the standpoint of revenue provided to the State and the significant number of jobs created. Agricultural practices have not been able to ensure a sustainable management of natural resources of the country, including the conservation of primary forests now fast disappearing. For the development of the agricultural sector induced by macroeconomic policies was made at the expense of forest land. Population growth impacts negatively also on the deforestation. This enables us to advance that introduced policies to revive the economy have only increased the extensive production system, which leads to deforestation and ecological imbalance. Despite all the investment in the agricultural sector, crops were only 38% of their potential. The environmental annual costs were estimated at 2.72% of 2015 GDP, or 545 billion CFA francs. This is a significant financial loss for an economy of an undeveloped country. However there is hope due to the opportunities offered by the intensification of the agriculture sector. Identifying determinants or causes of deforestation and presentation of opportunities would help the government adjust its resources for future forest recovery projects in order to significantly revitalize the agriculture and forest sector which is the main pillar of the country’s economy and the principal provider of employment. One advantage of this strategy will be to considerably decrease the rural exodus, and improve the government incomes.