6/21/2024–|Last updated: 6/21/202407:01 PM (Mecca time)
Eric Biantouadi – Abidjan
Early in 2024, food security in Ivory Coast faced a serious threat due to a strategic government decision whereby exports of basic food products were suspended.
The measure aims to strengthen national food security by banning the export of staple foods, such as cassava, yams, rice and atiki, which are the pillars of the Ivorian diet.
In 2022, rice imports reached alarming levels, exceeding 50 billion CFA francs (one dollar equals 614 francs), making it one of the country’s largest expenditures.
The government spent nearly 99 billion CFA francs on rice imports alone that year, highlighting the critical national reliance on imports to meet basic food needs.
The representative of the grain company in Ivory Coast, Angie Baime, highlighted the great challenges facing this sector. He said the consequences of this dependence are particularly felt by local farmers, especially those in the rice sector, who struggle to get adequate support from public policies.
Greed of merchants
Instead of supporting local production, industry stakeholders “often exploit market mechanisms and trade regulations to maximize profits,” explains Ange Baime, a grain representative in Ivory Coast.
In response to these challenges, civil society organizations are calling for sustainable agriculture that focuses on small farmers. These associations work with small farmers and local organizations to promote food sufficiency through environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
This approach not only protects the environment by using traditional, climate-resilient seeds, but also enables farmers to maintain ownership of their land in the face of increasing threats of privatization.
For these associations, food sufficiency is crucial so that the people of Côte d’Ivoire can make decisions about their food supply, regardless of the fluctuations and often destabilizing demands of the global market.
Civil society groups say promoting local crops, such as cassava, yam and rice, is essential to ensuring long-term food security and reducing vulnerability to economic and environmental crises.
In Anyama, one of the peripheral regions of Côte d’Ivoire, a voluntary association launched a pilot project entitled “Pilot Project for the Valuation of Migrant Labor in Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire” from February to October 2023.
Local agricultural practices
This project aims to enhance the contributions of migrants by introducing agricultural practices tailored to their local reality. Nadège Jahi, agricultural representative of this association, highlighted the benefits of this project for migrants in Anyama.
“We chose soilless farming, focusing on tomato production using environmentally friendly agricultural techniques,” he said. “The project also strengthened the capacities of the beneficiaries, especially migrants, by improving their access to land and ensuring the protection of their rights, with the support of legal assistance.”
Within this project, a legal consulting company was established to support affected communities. In total, 60 beneficiaries participated in the training in Anyama, and were divided into two groups to participate in 9-month savings programs aimed at securing their future.
In Sinefra, in central Ivory Coast, rice farming is a crucial activity that faces several major challenges. These obstacles not only hamper domestic production, but also hinder the country’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency in rice, a vital economic and food security issue.
Angie Baime, representative of the grain company in Ivory Coast, told Al Jazeera Net, “The availability of high-quality seeds is essential to improve productivity and meet the increasing demand for this basic food.”
Other challenges include management of developed areas and insufficient mechanization of production processes, which is essential to increase productivity and market competitiveness.
In response to these challenges, several initiatives have been taken to improve the situation. First, research and development programs were launched to select and develop rice varieties adapted to local conditions and resistant to diseases and climate changes. These efforts aim to increase yields while reducing dependence on imports.
Agricultural investments
Furthermore, investments in agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation and mechanization systems, are being implemented to modernize agricultural practices and enhance efficiency. This includes introducing advanced agricultural techniques and training local farmers to use them, supported by partnerships with international organizations and donors.
Paul Buhoy Noel Ligui, a specialist in rice cultivation in Ivory Coast, told Al Jazeera Net, “These initiatives are necessary to ensure sustainable and safe food production for the local population, while at the same time contributing to the national economy.”
Finally, effective public policies are needed to support these long-term efforts, ensuring an appropriate regulatory framework and appropriate incentives for farmers. This includes promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices, protecting the land rights of local communities, and enhancing farmers’ capacities through ongoing agricultural training and education.
In conclusion, despite these challenges, the agricultural potential of Ivory Coast is undeniable.
Through appropriate strategies and continued commitment, it is possible to transform these challenges into opportunities, thus ensuring sustainable food sufficiency that respects the environment for future generations. As well as promoting local agriculture that focuses on environmentally friendly agricultural practices and supporting small enterprises, with farmers and local communities remaining at the heart of this vision.
