Identification and characterization of tchapalo production areas in Abidjan

The tchapalo is a traditional beverage made from cereals widely consumed in Cote d’Ivoire. A study conducted in Abidjan was to identify tchapalo production sites and to characterize them. The questionnaire survey was carried out in 10 towns of the city among responsible of tchapalo production areas. The results indicated that the responsible of tchapalo production areas were only women whose 59.1% are older than 45 years. These responsible employed 2094 women to assist them in their activities on average 4 persons per cabaret. The Ivorian women who practiced this activity were mainly ethnic group Gur and more precisely of the Lobi ethnic (94.66%) and to a lesser extent the Akan group (0.98%). In total, 538 tchapalo production areas have been identified in the Abidjan city. The Yopougon contained the highest number of cabarets (137 cabarets) followed municipalities of Abobo (123 cabarets) and Cocody (102 cabarets). Municipalities contained massive tchapalo production areas and individual production areas. Tchapalo production areas the aromas are also characterized by the presence of flies, filth and stagnant sewage. The municipalities of Abobo, Adjame, Attecoube and Port-Bouet were the most unhealthy. This study represents not only a basic cartographic support for the government but also provide them information to develop appropriate measures to the supervision of brewers of compliance with rules of good hygiene and production practices that could improve their well-being and that of the consumer population.