Abstract

Kouamé Daniel Kra, Taky Hortense Atta Diallo, Marie Noël Toualy, Koffi Eric Kwadjo, Koulou Epse Yoboua Nazaret, Yadom Yao François Regis Kouakou, Assiri Elloh Patrice Kouamé, Koutoua Séka, Bognan Winnie Miyasi Ouattara, Jonas Guei Ibo, Jean Louis Konan Konan, Yaima Arocha Rosete

Field schools and plant clinics are key extension tools to fight the lethal yellowing disease of coconut that is severely impacting the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers in Grand-lahou, Côte d’Ivoire. Field schools have trained 1,960 men and women farmers on coconut farming, marketing and disease management. Six Women Groups have been created to support women in establishing cassava yards as an alternative food and cash crop. Plant clinics have mobilized circa 600 producers that are willing to pay consultation services to plant doctors. Young farmers foresee plant doctors as a new local job source. The number and diversity of coconut products sold by women farmers through Women Coconut Fairs increased 64% from 2015 to 2016 enabling women to sell and marketing, and to identify small business opportunities. Sex-disaggregated surveys revealed the main gender issues and major constraints associated with the coconut production chain in Grand-Lahou. Field schools and plant clinics are effective approaches to engage farmers, stakeholders and policy makers, and to empower women. These may be also the most suitable platforms to discuss and encourage the implementation of low-cost local interventions on behalf of the farming community.