In the heart of West Africa, a silent battle is unfolding, one that could reshape the future of agribusiness and, by extension, the energy sector. Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, is grappling with a complex web of land tenure systems that are stifling the growth of large-scale farming and agribusiness development. A recent study published in the Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development sheds light on the intricate challenges faced by agribusiness developers in the South Comoé region, offering insights that could influence policy and practice across the continent.
At the forefront of this research is Antoine Kablan Effossou, a geographer from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology and the Centre for Environmental Studies (CFES). Effossou’s work delves into the coexistence of neo-customary and bureaucratic land tenure systems, revealing how this legal pluralism is a major obstacle for agribusiness development.
The study, which employed qualitative methods including individual interviews and focus group discussions, paints a vivid picture of the conflicts arising from these competing land tenure systems. “Land tenure systems are intricately linked to the complexity of agribusiness development,” Effossou explains. “The coexistence of these systems creates a source of conflicts between agribusiness developers and smallholders, making it difficult for agribusiness to grow.”
The South Comoé region, with its rich agricultural potential, serves as a microcosm of the broader issues facing Côte d’Ivoire and other sub-Saharan African countries. The region’s land tenure systems, governed by both traditional customs and modern bureaucratic laws, often clash, leading to uncertainty and disputes. This legal ambiguity makes it challenging for agribusiness developers to secure land, hindering their ability to scale operations and invest in the region.
The implications of this research extend beyond the agricultural sector. As agribusiness development stalls, so does the potential for bioenergy production, a critical component of the energy sector. Bioenergy, derived from agricultural crops and waste, could provide a sustainable and renewable energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, the land tenure challenges highlighted in Effossou’s study threaten to derail these ambitions.
The Rural Land Act No. 98-750, enacted to address some of these issues, has not been enough to resolve the conflicts. The act, which aims to modernize land tenure systems, has been criticized for not adequately addressing the complexities of neo-customary systems. This has left a gap that agribusiness developers are struggling to fill.
Effossou’s research calls for a consolidated land tenure system that can secure land for agribusiness development while respecting the rights of smallholders. “There is a compelling need for policymakers to address these issues,” Effossou states. “A consolidated system could provide the clarity and security that agribusiness developers need to invest and grow.”
As Côte d’Ivoire and other sub-Saharan African countries grapple with these challenges, the findings from the South Comoé region offer a roadmap for future developments. By addressing the complexities of land tenure systems, policymakers can unlock the full potential of agribusiness, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions and economic growth.
The study, published in the Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, titled “Impacts of conflicting land tenure systems on land acquisition by agribusiness developers in Côte d’Ivoire,” serves as a wake-up call for stakeholders in the agribusiness and energy sectors. As the world looks towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, resolving these land tenure issues will be crucial. The future of agribusiness and the energy sector in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond hangs in the balance, and the time to act is now.