Agricultural engineer Pauline Zéi , head of INADES-Formation Côte d'Ivoire, is sounding the alarm. In an interview with AIP, she denounces an unsustainable agricultural model where the massive use of chemicals now threatens public health and the viability of the land.

1. An alarming environmental and health situation

According to the expert, the conclusion is inescapable: while synthetic chemical pesticides have boosted immediate yields, the price to pay is high.

1. Soil degradation: Pollution becomes permanently established, depleting the fertile soil.
2. Water crisis: Runoff of toxic substances contaminates groundwater and waterways.
3. Human health at stake: Producers, often without protection, suffer from poisoning. Consumers, meanwhile, are exposed to chemical residues present in their food.
4. Aggravating factor: Illegal gold mining delivers the final blow by destroying arable land and massively polluting ecosystems.

2. Agroecology: The profitable and sustainable alternative

Faced with this bleak picture, Pauline Zéi argues for a break with the past. Far from being a utopia, agroecology is presented as a pragmatic solution.

1. Economics: By reducing dependence on costly inputs and utilizing local resources (such as biocompost), it improves profitability in the medium term.
2. Restoration: Techniques such as agroforestry allow extinct species to reappear and yields to stabilize.
3. Sovereignty: This involves transforming the citizen into a "consum'actor" to support healthy production.

"Agroecology makes it possible to reconcile productivity, environmental protection, and public health." — Pauline Zéi

3. Towards a strengthened commitment for 2026

INADES-Formation does not simply denounce; the organization takes action on the ground:

1. "Food Awareness" Campaign: Active advocacy for sustainable food since 2021.
2. Focus on women and young people: Essential links in the value chain, they benefit from training and financial support.
3. Outlook: A new three-year project will begin in 2026, focusing on resilient crops such as fonio and sorghum to strengthen national food sovereignty.

In summary: The INADES-Formation call is an invitation to rethink our relationship with the Earth. For Pauline Zéi, the survival of future generations depends on our ability to abandon the "all-chemical" approach for a model that respects natural cycles.