Biodiversity & sustainable agriculture: The example of COMAKO in Côte d’Ivoire

As part of its commitment to the conservation of biodiversity in tropical agricultural systems, COLEAD supports its partners in integrating environmentally sound practices into their production models. In Côte d’Ivoire, this commitment is being realised through a collaboration with the Cooperative of Mango and Cashew of Korhogo (COMAKO) to develop a Wildlife-Flora-Landscape Integrated Management Plan (IMP) under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme.

Already certified by GLOBAL G.A.P., GRASP, SMETA and Rainforest Alliance, COMAKO is now strengthening its alignment with the LEAF Marque standard, laying the foundation for more resilient, responsible and environmentally sound agriculture.

A comprehensive diagnosis to strengthen biodiversity

The mission carried out by COLEAD enabled:

– A complete assessment of the cooperative’s environmental management practices;

– To identify risks and opportunities related to wildlife, flora and landscape within the orchards;

– To co-develop a structured Integrated Management Plan (IMP) with monitoring indicators to measure progress over time.

The results revealed a remarkable floral diversity, albeit limited in some areas, and a rich animal presence – including bees and butterflies – representing a natural heritage to be protected and enhanced.

Concrete actions at farm level

The IMP outlines a series of practical measures, tailored to the local context, to improve the environmental performance of farming activities:

– Conservation of emblematic species such as shea and néré trees through awareness campaigns and sacred protection practices;

– Integrating annual legume crops (groundnut, cowpea, soybean) into orchards to improve soil fertility and diversify farmers’ incomes;

– Utilising mango residues by systematically collecting and composting them to enrich the soil;

– Training producers to identify soil fertility indicators and understand the importance of biodiversity in agro-ecosystems.

Resilient and sustainable agriculture at the heart of the cooperative model

The implementation of this IMP will enable COMAKO to better manage natural resources, reduce productivity-related risks and reconcile economic performance with environmental responsibility.

With COLEAD’s support, COMAKO is positioning itself as a pioneer of agro-ecological transition in Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating that respect for biodiversity is a powerful driver of sustainable competitiveness.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.