Strengthening responsible forest management in Côte d'Ivoire

Since 2023, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has been working with local communities, development leaders, and industry stakeholders to promote responsible forest management in Côte d'Ivoire. In April 2023, FSC launched the process of developing an Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for the country. This standard aims to set clear requirements for sustainable forest management practices, ensuring the long-term health of Ivorian forests.

Patrick Epie, FSC's Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Congo Basin and West Africa, says FSC certification play a great role in supporting smallholder forest managers. He says: "Ivory Coast is a major rubber-producing country, and we want to help its smallholder forest managers adopt sustainable practices. FSC certification provides a rigorous framework for responsible forest management."

On August 1, 2024, FSC organized a workshop that brought together 43 stakeholders from the forestry sector. The workshop discussed the benefits of FSC certification for communities, families, and smallholders, especially in the rubber sector. Key topics included FSC certification, industry experiences, FSC solutions, and EUDR.

A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation of a study conducted by GIZ on behalf of the German Cooperation on the costs and benefits of FSC certification for natural rubber producers in Côte d'Ivoire. The study revealed that while Côte d'Ivoire is a major rubber producer, the sector faces challenges such as price volatility and limited access to finance. The report, which is the country's first interaction with FSC, provides stakeholders with a clear view of the costs associated with certification. While FSC work within Côte d'Ivoire is still in its early stages, the study offers valuable insights for Ivorian stakeholders. The study can be downloaded below in French and English.

Besides the study, GIZ is a key supporter of the standard development process in Côte d'Ivoire.

The workshop enabled global rubber buyers like Weber & Schaer, a German company, to explain to Ivorian stakeholders their commitment to responsible sourcing and how they support smallholders worldwide. CMO, a company that has helped numerous smallholders achieve FSC certification, was also present. Michal Brink, Managing Director of CMO, presented the company's approach, which has enabled smallholders to obtain higher prices on the international market for their FSC-certified products.

Ayoussi Delphine, an FSC member in Côte d'Ivoire, expressed enthusiasm for the FSC standard development process: "We need the FSC to guide us on how to implement good forest management practices and reconcile the interests of different stakeholders."

The workshop concluded with a field visit to the Société Coopérative des Producteurs d'Hévéa et producteurs Agricoles d'Ananguie et de la ME « SCOOPS SOCOPHEPAAM», a local cooperative in the Southeast of Côte d'Ivoire.

Asso Yapo Jean Michel, a cooperative president, said: "As the cooperative manager, I became involved in rubber production because it's what I studied after school. When the opportunity for research came up, I welcomed the chance to implement it. After engaging with other farmers about the need for a stronger organization, we decided to create cooperatives. Thanks to the German Cooperation implemented by GIZ, we've been learning about good agricultural practices. We need to preserve the environment for future generations. So, I want to thank this organization for their continuous support and training."

In the village of Ananguié, located in the south-east of Ivory Coast in the Adzopé department, smallholders are ready to adopt FSC certification in recognition of its impact on the transformation of their forests and, by extension, their standard of living.

Ado Assamoi Sylvain is upbeat about certification: "For me, certification is a good thing. If we can be sure that it will happen soon, I'm all for it. I want my children and my family to benefit, even if I'm not around."