World Bank Delegation Visits Scio Agro-Forest to Evaluate Conservation Efforts

A delegation from the World Bank, led by its Country Manager, Mr. Tony Verheijen, visited the Scio agro-forest in Sokoura, Ivory Coast, on September 12, 2024. The aim of this visit was to evaluate the conservation and rehabilitation actions carried out in this agro-forest and to exchange with local communities on agroforestry practices and Income Generating Activities (IGA) linked to the sustainable management of forest resources.

Accompanied by the Coordinator of the Phase 2 Forestry Investment Project Coordination Unit (UCP-PIF2), Ms. Thérèse ABE-KOFFI, as well as representatives of SODEFOR, OIPR, and CARE International, the delegation attended presentations on the achievements of the various project partners before visiting agroforestry plots, especially cocoa.

Since launching its second phase in 2022, PIF2 has intervened in several degraded forest areas, including the Scio agroforest. Concrete actions have already been taken: SODEFOR organized three regional information and awareness workshops that mobilized 500 people, including 70 women. Also, community meetings were organized in Sci villages and camps. These meetings made it possible to raise awareness among 2,462 people, 14% of whom were women. CARE International pre-selected 150 microprojects, with 25 validated for a total of 201 million FCFA. For its part, the OIPR validated a management and training plan for 900 students, teachers, and parents as part of the work of carrying out an environmental awareness and education program around the Mont Péko National Park in 6 areas.

After the visits, the delegation interacted with village heads and the surrounding communities. “I’m here to listen to your needs, find out what works and what can be improved. We are here to improve your future and the future of your children,” expressed Mr. Tony Verheijen, Operations Manager Ivory Coast, Benin, Guinea, and Togo.

Village leaders, for their part, emphasized the importance of protecting the Scio agro-forest and welcomed the proposed reforestation and conservation initiatives. “Today, I am asking that everything move forward quickly in order to effectively protect our forest. Thank you to the World Bank and all PIF2 stakeholders for their commitment,” greeted Mr. Kouidé Emmanuel, Head of Kouédébly-Sokoura village and spokesperson for the head of Sokoura.

The discussions also focused on communities’ expectations in terms of Income Generating Activities (IGA) to improve their living conditions. Ms. Thérèse ABE-KOFFI encouraged village leaders to raise awareness among villagers of the importance of having identification documents, especially the National Identity Card for nationals and the consular card for non-nationals. “After four years of patience, it is imperative that all the documents are preserved to avoid any obstacle in the release of funds.”

Implementation of the Participatory Development Plans for Classified Forests (PAPF FC3)

This visit is a key step in the implementation of the Participatory Development Plans for Classified Forests (PAPF FC3). The census to prepare farm managers in the agro-forests of Scio, Rapides Grah, and Haute Dodo will be decisive for the signing of agro-forestry contracts with the aim of rehabilitating these areas. The World Bank and the Ivorian government reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable management of forests, an essential condition for protecting the environment and improving the living conditions of local communities.

Forest Conservation in Ivory Coast

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Côte d’Ivoire has lost around 90% of its forest, going from 16 million hectares in the 1960s to 3.5 million hectares in 2015. Faced with this alarming situation, the Government has implemented the Forest Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Extension Strategy (SPREF2018) to strengthen the sustainable management of its forest resources.

About the Forest Investment Project – Phase 2 (PIF 2)

The Forest Investment Project – Phase 2 (PIF 2) is a flagship initiative of the Ivorian Government, led by the Ministry of Water and Forests and financed by the World Bank. Launched in 2022 for a period of seven years, PIF2’s mission is to preserve and increase the forest stock while improving access to sources of income from sustainable forest management in its areas of intervention. With a budget of 148 million dollars, the project actively contributes to the National Strategy of Côte d’Ivoire with the aim of achieving a forest cover of 20% of the territory by 2040.