Ivory Coast Celebrates Rice Production Boom with Drought-Resistant Variety
Ivorian farmers are celebrating a significant boost in rice production, thanks to a new drought-resistant variety that allows for two harvests a year and higher yields. The government, along with national and international institutions, aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice news production by 2027.
The program, which includes better irrigation, mechanization, and improved seeds, has seen farmers like Francois Kasse Yao reap the benefits. With the new variety, farmers can now produce up to 5 metric tons of rice per hectare. The Ivorian government and private sector have invested a substantial 330 billion CFA francs ($551.38 million) into this initiative, targeting an impressive 2.2 million tons of rice news production by 2027.
To achieve this goal, the government is working with various national and international institutions. These include international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Nationally, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Office for Agricultural Production are key players. Regionally, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the CEN-SAD (Community of Sahel-Saharan States) are also involved. Private partners and NGOs are also contributing to these efforts.
With the successful implementation of the new rice variety and the support of various institutions, Ivory Coast is on track to reduce its reliance on rice news imports and achieve self-sufficiency by 2027. This will not only improve food security but also boost the local economy.
