On December 14, 2023, Mr Fernand Bale, the Director of the Center of Geographical Information and Digital (CIGN), part of the Bureau of Technical Studies and Development (BNETD), declared the official launch of Cote d’Ivoire’s online publication of the 2020 land cover map. According to the Director, the milestone catapulted Cote d’Ivoire as the first country to provide high-quality foundational data openly and without charge, fostering transparency. The launch aims to aid agricultural sector operators in adhering to zero-deforestation standards European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and ARS-1000 regional standard on sustainable cocoa by facilitating informed decision-making and due diligence processes.

About Côte d’Ivoire’s 2020 Land Cover Map 

The government formed an Inter-ministerial Committee to ensure sustainable cocoa production, mitigate deforestation and child labour, and secure fair incomes for cocoa producers. This committee, known as the “National Sustainable Cocoa Committee,” operates under the Prime Minister’s supervision and focuses on establishing a national forest monitoring and deforestation early warning system. A key objective was to create Côte d’Ivoire’s land use map for the reference year 2020. 

The map showcases 28 land use map classes distributed as follows: seven classes of forest land; – 11 classes of cultivated land, three classes of grassy land, three classes of wetlands, two classes of inhabited land, and two classes of other lands.

Objective

The main goal is to produce a land cover and land use map of Côte d’Ivoire for the reference year 2020, using Sentinel-2 satellite images (10 m resolution). Other objectives include:

• Carry out a data collection mission for classification and assessment;
• Define the nomenclature and legend of the OCS/UT classes of the year 2020;
• Process Sentinel-2 satellite images via Google Earth Engine;
• Assess the accuracy of the OCS/UT map produced for the 2020 reference year; and
• Generate class statistics and other derived products from the OCS/UT 2020 map of Côte d’Ivoire.

Challenges

As with most projects, challenges are ever-present, and they can arise from various sources, including changes in scope, limited resources, unforeseen risks, stakeholder conflicts, technological complexities, or external environmental factors. For the Land cover Map project, the challenges and difficulties include;

• Providing a reference database for Côte d’Ivoire;
• Automating the treatment process via innovative tools;
• Maximising the time and reduce the production cost;
• Utilising mobile precision applications for sample collection;
• Unavailability of quality images over the entire territory of Côte d’Ivoire inside the window (2020– 2021) of the study; and
• Inaccessibility of some sites (impractical roads, risky areas, etc).

Space in Africa had the privilege of interviewing Mr Fernand Bale and his colleague, Bienvenue N’Gbaba Yangoh, in charge of the Cote D’ivoire Africa GeoPortal. During the conversation, they elaborated on the inspiration that fueled the project, including milestones, challenges, technologies and plans.

How did deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices impact Côte d’Ivoire’s environment, economy, and local communities in the past?

Cote d’Ivoire is the world’s top cocoa producer, annually producing over 2 million tons, sometimes even hitting 2.4 million tons. In less than a century, Cote d’Ivoire has lost almost 90% of its natural forests under the pressure of several factors, including uncontrolled expansion of agricultural lands, gold washing, etc. In addition, the alarming loss of forests in Côte d’Ivoire showcases a striking example of tropical deforestation in Africa. The once common primary forests in the region have now transformed into a patchwork of secondary forests, agricultural lands for commodities and timber, food crop fields, and fallow areas. This substantial pressure on forests is attributed mainly to the income sources of the predominantly rural Ivorian population, heavily relying on agricultural activities. The pursuit of increased production often involves slash-and-burn techniques, increasing deforestation and leading to the deterioration of forested areas.

However, the European Union constitutes the principal market, purchasing approximately 58-60% of the cocoa produced. If this supply chain falters, Cote d’Ivoire’s economy faces a risk of collapse. Without intervention within 20 to 30 years, the nation’s forests may vanish entirely. To counter this, the government aims to reforest 20% of the country by 2030, a proactive step initiated by the President.

The European Commission has taken a firm stance against global deforestation. They have decided to cease buying cocoa, coffee, rubber, and other products contributing to deforestation. This policy shift is anticipated to impact the Ivorian economy profoundly.

Direct drivers of deforestation and degradation of forest. Source: Reed+ Strategy Document – Anglais

What were some of the key historical factors that led to Côte d’Ivoire’s increasing concern regarding deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices?

There are three significant causes of deforestation in our region. Since 1960, more than 80% of our forests have been lost due to agricultural expansion. The expansion of farming activities has been the major contributor to this significant loss. Secondly, illegal mining poses another critical challenge. Using environmentally harmful chemicals in these mining practices renders the affected land infertile for cultivation. This makes the areas impacted by illegal mining unusable for agricultural or developmental purposes.

Lastly, rapid urbanisation plays a role in the increasing deforestation activities. While not the primary cause, the swift growth of our cities has led to increased construction of buildings and houses. This ongoing expansion, observed through the continuous emergence of new infrastructure, compounds the pressure on land resources and can lead to further deforestation if not managed carefully.

Were there any earlier efforts or initiatives undertaken by the government or local communities to address deforestation and unsustainable agriculture before the current government’s initiative? 

We take great pride in our involvement in the sustainable development of forestry protection, collaborating extensively with various organisations, including government bodies like the Ministry of Water and Forest, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, and the First Minister of Office. Our engagement spans across academia and other stakeholders dedicated to this cause. This collective effort allows us to gather comprehensive data and share valuable insights.

Can you highlight the technological innovations or advancements in gathering data for the land use map?

The first map was released in 2016, and the more recent one demonstrates a significant advancement in mapping technology. The first map, completed in approximately three years, relied on traditional remote sensing methods. In contrast, the latest map, developed using cutting-edge technologies such as Google Earth Engine and AI algorithms like random forest, was produced in less than a year. Moreover, we will update the map every two years with relevant data.

This technological shift resulted in an 80% cost reduction, showcasing the efficiency gains from leveraging cloud computing and AI algorithms. Not only did this approach save time and money, but it also enhanced the overall quality of the data generated. Importantly, once the map was created on Google Earth Engine, it became accessible to a broad audience, fostering open access for various stakeholders.

Furthermore, efforts have been made to ensure the availability of this data to relevant stakeholders in remote sensing, agriculture, and organisations focused on forestry protection. Comprehensive data related to Cote d’Ivoire is being shared through initiatives like the Africa Geoportal developed by ESRI. This emphasis on open data represents a valuable opportunity to cultivate an innovative ecosystem in remote sensing and spatial data analysis. 

Are specific policies or regulations being considered or implemented alongside this initiative to support sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation? 

Since 2011, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has actively addressed the drivers behind deforestation and forest degradation through the REDD+ (Reduction of Emissions due to Deforestation and Forest Degradation) process. With crucial technical support from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF-Readiness), the country successfully established a comprehensive National REDD+ infrastructure. 

This infrastructure comprises essential components such as formulating a REDD+ strategy and policy framework, implementing safeguards instruments, setting up a Safeguards Information System and National Forest Surveillance System, establishing a reference baseline for emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, creating a national monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system to reduce emissions, and developing a REDD+ registry and homologation manual for REDD+ projects. In addition, an intersectoral framework led by the Office of the Prime Minister was established to enhance coordination to oversee and streamline these diverse REDD+ efforts.

Furthermore, to ensure just and fair compensation for the stakeholders contributing to the substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, Côte d’Ivoire has introduced a benefit-sharing arrangement. This arrangement encompasses all REDD+ projects and programs within the ERP (Emission Reduction Programme) area. Grounded in the provisions stipulated in Law No. 2019-675 of July 23, 2019, specifically Article 13 of the Forest Code, and Decree No. 2012-1049 dated October 24, 2012, governing the establishment, organisation, and operation of the National REDD+ Commission, this benefit sharing plan emphasises principles such as equity, effectiveness, and efficiency. It aligns with national laws and regulations, prioritises community rights, advocates for transparency and inclusivity, and duly acknowledges efforts while respecting legal rights.

Are there plans or initiatives in place to actively share knowledge, best practices, or technological innovations developed during this process with other African countries?

Our primary focus is addressing our domestic challenges, especially since Cocoa is the cornerstone of our national economy. While we aspire to potentially share our insights and expertise with our friendly nations, such as Ghana, with whom we share a strong relationship in cocoa farming and its impact on the global cocoa economy, we currently do not have any collaborative programmes. However, our engagement extends to the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Africa project, where we actively share our experiences and capabilities with other nations. 

Looking ahead, what steps or initiatives do you believe are necessary to continue fostering a culture of data transparency and collaboration for sustainable development in Côte d’Ivoire

The upcoming initiative involves implementing a comprehensive global monitoring system for forests in Cote d’Ivoire, spearheaded by the government. Our active involvement includes developing a robust forest monitoring system to estimate and analyse  Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and other greenhouse gases. This initiative aligns with a broader program focused on minimising risks associated with these emissions within the atmosphere.

Our immediate objective is establishing a global system and framework enabling precise emissions monitoring. This system will allow us to assess our current emissions accurately, chart our projected trajectory for 2030, and strategise effective measures to curtail these emissions. This step represents a pivotal advancement for our country in addressing and mitigating these specific types of emissions.