Migration and intensification: agrarian dynamics of the Lobi in North-West Cote d'Ivoire

The authorities of the Cote d'Ivoire have created villages in a no man's land in the northeast of the country to settle the Lobi. The latter practise a very dynamic and accomplished agriculture which combines food grain for their own consumption and yam for urban markets. Techniques are, however, very extensive and the Lobi need to seek new lands to cultivate. The culture of cotton which requires more intensive techniques and which favours population stabilization was introduced recently. Unfortunately its success is limited because it is less lucrative than yam. The Lobi have therefore continued to migrate. (CAB Abstracts)