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Cocoa, livelihoods, and deforestation within the Tridom landscape in the Congo Basin: A spatial analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Ngouhouo-Poufoun
  • Sabine Chaupain-Guillot
  • Youba Ndiaye
  • Denis Jean Sonwa
  • Kevin Yana Njabo
  • Philippe Delacote

Abstract

In the context of emerging international trade regulations on deforestation-free commodities, the drivers of households’ deforestation in conservation landscapes are of interest. The role of households’ livelihood strategies including cocoa production, and the effects of human-elephant conflict are investigated. Using a unique dataset from a survey of 1035 households in the Tridom landscape in the Congo basin, the spatial autoregressive model shows that: (1) Households imitate the deforestation decisions of their neighbors; (2) A marginally higher income from cocoa production-based livelihood portfolios is associated with six to seven times higher deforestation compared to other livelihood strategies with a significant spillover effect on neighboring households’ deforestation. The increase in income, mainly from cocoa production-based livelihoods in open-access systems can have a negative effect on forests. Households with a higher share of auto-consumption are associated with lower deforestation. If economic development brings better market access and lower auto-consumption shares, this is likely to positively influence deforestation. Without proper land use planning/zoning associated with incentives, promoting sustainable agriculture, such as complex cocoa agroforestry systems, may lead to forest degradation and deforestation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Ngouhouo-Poufoun & Sabine Chaupain-Guillot & Youba Ndiaye & Denis Jean Sonwa & Kevin Yana Njabo & Philippe Delacote, 2024. "Cocoa, livelihoods, and deforestation within the Tridom landscape in the Congo Basin: A spatial analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(6), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0302598
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302598
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