An analysis of dynamics of deforestation and agricultural productivity in Côte d'Ivoire.

Abstract

The relationship between agriculture and forestry is a recurring theme in tropical regions where forest areas are replaced by agricultural land. In this study, the main objective is to analyze the relationship between deforestation and agricultural productivity in Cote d’Ivoire. In our methodological process, a formal theoretical framework is examined before specifying the empirical model. In the first step, an optimal control model is used to determine the optimal steady-state forest stock in Cote d’Ivoire. In the second step, an error correction model is used to analyze long run and short run relations between deforestation and agricultural productivity. Data for the empirical model were obtained from World Bank and FAO statistical database. The estimates showed that the agricultural yield responds significantly and negatively to deforestation. Indeed, a 1 per cent rise in deforestation rate will lead to about 5 per cent decline in agricultural yield. The fact that deforestation accelerates soil erosion and thus shifts agriculture to less suitable areas explains this result.