Factors Influencing the Production, Marketing and Consumption of Fruit-Vegetables in Six Agroecological Zones of Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, fruit vegetables such as okra, aubergine, chilli and tomato play a strategic role in food security, nutrition and household livelihoods. However, the factors influencing their production, marketing and consumption remain insufficiently documented across the country’s various agroecological zones. This study aims to analyse the factors influencing these practices in order to generate knowledge useful for the sustainable improvement of market gardening systems and to guide plant breeding programmes. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative surveys, was implemented in seven departments representative of the main agroecological zones of Côte d’Ivoire. Data were collected from 380 producers (approximately 54 per department) and 455 consumers (65 per location, including 40 in urban areas and 25 in rural areas) using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions, and were subsequently analysed using the R software package. The results reveal a high degree of diversity in production systems, characterised by spatial specialisation of crops, variability in fertilisation practices, differing performance of varieties, and marketing channels specific to each species. The organisation of cropping systems is mainly influenced by seasonal constraints, agroecological conditions and territorial dynamics. Furthermore, consumption preferences vary according to gender, educational attainment, marital status and region of residence, influencing the choice of varieties and how they are used. These results highlight the need to promote market gardening development strategies adapted to local agroecological and socio-economic realities in order to enhance the sustainability of fruit and vegetable supply chains in Côte d’Ivoire.