Vegetable production systems in northern Côte d’Ivoire: Constraints, economic performance and integrated soil fertility management challenges
Paper Details
Vegetable production systems in northern Côte d’Ivoire: Constraints, economic performance and integrated soil fertility management challenges
Abstract
Vegetable production plays a strategic role in food security and income generation in northern Côte d’Ivoire, although its performance remains strongly influenced by local social, agronomic, and environmental conditions. This study analyzes vegetable production systems in Sinématiali and Dikodougou using an integrated socio-economic and agronomic approach. A survey was conducted among 150 producers across six villages. Data collected included farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics, cropping practices, production constraints, and economic performance of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Results reveal a strong feminization of vegetable farming (70.66% in Sinématiali and 96% in Dikodougou), combined with low educational levels and a predominance of producers aged 41–70 years. Production systems are largely characterized by monocropping, ridge cultivation, and widespread use of chemical inputs. In Sinématiali, yields mainly range between 6.25 and 7.50 t/ha, with net profitability between 200,000 and 300,000 FCFA per 0.2 ha. In contrast, Dikodougou records lower yields (3.75–5.00 t/ha) and net returns not exceeding 200,000 FCFA per 0.2 ha. These findings indicate that economic performance is closely linked to cropping practices, access to inputs, and market conditions. They highlight the need for integrated soil fertility management strategies to enhance productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability of vegetable production systems.
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Marie Luce MÂ Semba Ouattara*, Jean Baptiste Gnelié Gnahoua, Kouassi Brahiman Kien, Kouamé Antoine N'Guessan, Yao Casimir Brou, 2026. Vegetable production systems in northern Côte d’Ivoire: Constraints, economic performance and integrated soil fertility management challenges. Int. J. Biosci., 28(4), 41-50.
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