In order to maintain the forest potential, both in quantity and quality, it is increasingly essential, especially in some countries where demographic pressure is intense, to combine natural regeneration with silvicultural methods involving the planting of trees, giving priority to local species with high heritage value.
Agroforestry is making a strong comeback in many forums and projects because of the advantages offered by this model. The ATIBT wanted to take up the subject as well.
In 2018, with the support of Kinomé and Oréade Brèche, an opportunity study of agroforestry projects for shaded cultivation of forest species was conducted.
In connection with this work and at the initiative of the actors of the Cité du Développement Durable of Nogent sur Marne, a first meeting of the "agroforestry group" of the Cité took place on April 25, 2018, at which were present : ONFI, Kinomé, CIRAD, Fair Trade and ATIBT. This was followed in 2019 by a presence at the 4th World Agroforestry Congress in Montpellier (April 2019), very stimulating for the group formed. In collaboration with the partners of the Cité du Développement Durable, ATIBT and Kinomé presented a poster on the basis of the study mentioned above and in connection with the “ Equité ” (Fair Trade) project implemented by Commerce Equitable France and funded by the FFEM. In 2020, with the support of the consortium Eticwoood-Gembloux-Pallisco, the reflection continued leading to the creation of the guide on agroforestry projects for forestry companies and the elaboration of two feasibility studies for agroforestry projects. This work was notably presented during the web meeting of the "agroforestry group" of the Cité du Développement Durable on May, 7 2020.
Reflections on timber plantations are also being carried out: In 2018, FRMi analysed the experiences of forest plantations in Côte d'Ivoire under the prism of diversification opportunities for natural forest concessions. One of the main lessons to be learnt is that reforestation, which was initially more of an obligation, has now become central to the strategy for long-term supply and therefore survival of the sector.
In addition, a study of the legality and regulations relating to timber plantations in five countries (Gabon, Congo, DRC, Cameroon, RCI) has identified numerous obstacles to the development of plantations while proposing solutions (TEREA).
In 2020, the ATIBT with the support of the ONFi-CIRAD consortium was able to continue and deepen these first two studies. Initially, a teaching guide on how to set up a project integrating timber plantations was drawn up, followed by two feasibility studies to assist two forestry companies in setting up a project. This work has led to the emergence of a new type of innovative partnership between forestry and agricultural companies in Côte d'Ivoire as well as reflections on assisted natural regeneration in the Congo Basin.
