Abstract
This study examines the relationship between cocoa farming and the emergence of fish farming in Côte d’Ivoire, with a focus on the challenges associated with pesticide use on cocoa farms. It is based on surveys of 45 cocoa farmers also involved in fish farming, in various cocoa-growing regions. The results show that diversification into fish farming on cocoa farms leads to a reduction or even abandonment of the use of pesticides, mainly herbicides, by experimenting with different alternatives. These include mechanical control methods, adaptation of cropping practices and the installation of ecological barriers. These various changes are made with a view to preserving the incomes of cocoa-fish farmers, but also the environment in and around production farms. The levers likely to lead to widespread dissemination of these methods are discussed.