The mango in French-speaking West Africa: cropping systems and agronomical practices.
Vannière H., Didier C., Rey J. Y., Diallo T. M., Kéita S., Sangaré M.
Author Affiliation: Cirad, TA B-77/PS4, Blvd de la Lironde, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Fruits (Paris) 62 : 187-201
Abstract : Cropping systems of the mango trees in West Africa are very varied. Each one of them developed in a specific context where the agronomical practices and the varietal composition of the orchards contribute to the diversity observed. The study undertaken should make it possible to better understand the influence of the potential outlets on the evolution of the regional mango production. Principal cropping systems. In the studied area, the main part of the mango orchards has less than 10 ha; their production is extensive and uses few inputs. They belong in majority to growers whose principal activity is centred on agriculture. Certain plantations close to 100 ha, found in Senegal or in Côte d'Ivoire, belong to exporters and profit from a technical assistance. The study of the agronomical practices used in mango orchards of West Africa made it possible to analyse the aspects of seedling production, choice of the site, installation of the orchard before plantation, plantation and maintenance of the trees, fire protection, water management, as well as the effect of the export market on the varietal choice and the varietal offer during a harvest campaign. An inventory of the pathological problems and physiological diseases likely to devalue the production were carried out. Marketing made it possible to distinguish intercontinental exports, requiring a specific harvest and conditioning organization, and the local, national and regional markets. Processing. Today, the share of transformed mangos into West Africa uses only one negligible proportion of the total production. Beside a traditional production which presents signs of brittleness appear modern orchards. More than a necessary intensification of the orchards, a rationalization of the agronomical practices, plant health protection, fruit harvest or handling are impossible to circumvent. Downstream, the export path is confronted with a fast evolution of the exogenous regulations, based on qualitative and sanitary standards increasingly strict.