Cultural and socio-economic drivers of conservation and cultivation of the cola nut tree

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

Isabelle E. T. Tokannou, African Center of Excellence On Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture, University Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’IvoireFollow
Souleymane Sanogo, African Center of Excellence On Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture, University Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Kolawolé Valère Salako, Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Achille Hounkpèvi, Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Sèdoami Flora Dogbo, Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Adandé Belarmain Fandohan, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, Kétou, Bénin

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

Agroforestry Systems

Abstract

Cola nitida (Vent.) is an essential multi-purpose tree in most West and Central African countries. In Benin, it is threatened with extinction due to overexploitation and climate change. This study was carried out to contribute to the development of appropriate management strategies. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the impacts of socio-cultural, socio-demographic, and socio-economic factors on the local communities’ decision to conserve and cultivate C. nitida in Benin. Semi-structured surveys were carried out with 518 respondents in the Guinean-Congolese zone of Benin, where it mostly occurs. In addition to the respondent's characteristics, data were collected on the number of C. nitida trees owned, the species' use value, and the informant’s technical knowledge on the species' cultivation. Generalized linear models and piecewise Structural Equation Modeling (pSEM) were used to identify the main factors associated with the use value, the decision to conserve, and to cultivate C. nitida. The results indicated a positive relationship between the technical knowledge of the species production and C. nitida use value, indicating that higher technical knowledge is held by people who use more the species. Furthermore, respondents’ age, gender, geographical location, and the species' use value were the main factors associated with the decision to conserve the species. The decision to cultivate the species is rather associated with the species' use value, the income generated from its exploitation, and the respondent's religion. Actions on gender equality and customized to sociocultural contexts are needed to ensure the sustainable management of the species in Benin.

Keywords

Cultural, socio-economic drivers, conservation, cultivation, cola nut tree

Rsif Scholar Name

Isabelle Erhudice Tachégnon Tokannou

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Benin

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Climate Change

Africa Host University (AHU)

University Felix Houphouët-Boigny (U-FHB), Côte d'Ivoire

Funding Statement

This work was supported by the Regional Scholarship for Innovation Fund (PASET-RSIF/Icipe).

Recommended Citation

Tokannou, I.E.T., Sanogo, S., Salako, K.V. et al. Cultural and socio-economic drivers of conservation and cultivation of the cola nut tree. Agroforest Syst 99, 261 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-025-01363-w