The increase in agricultural production in eastern Côte d'Ivoire, through programs supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has revived economic activities in this part of the country, according to a report by the financial institution. .

Agricultural production has “increased tenfold” in recent years, revitalizing the local economy, following the implementation of the Support Project for Agricultural Infrastructure in the Indénié-Djuablin Region (PAIA-ID), between 2012 and 2019, says an AfDB report from September 18, 2020.

Funded to the tune of 30.2 million US dollars, or 16.89 billion CFA francs, by the AfDB, this project has made it possible in particular to "restore the conditions for the production and sale of agricultural products from this region with great potential".

The initial objective of PAIA-ID, reports the text, was to increase, in a sustainable manner, the production and productivity of the main crops of the region through the development of infrastructures and the strengthening of organizational and institutional capacities.

“The PAIA-ID has helped us a lot,” rejoiced Mamadou Koné, president of the Approved Management Cooperative (CGA) of the lowland “CAFOP”. In the past, the producers had a yield of 10 bags of rice per hectare, but today they are at around 40 bags of rice.

These results were achieved following hydro-agricultural developments carried out under the project, which significantly improved the yields of food crops for farmers.

In 2019, yields for plantain increased by +162%, cassava (+223%), rainfed rice (more than double) and irrigated rice (91%), underlines the report, which notes that at the same time, agricultural infrastructure has been developed.

There are 752.1 hectares of lowlands developed, 40 boreholes installed, 100 human-powered pumps renovated, six rural markets built as well as 17 rice storage warehouses.

The project has helped to open up production areas. In addition, more than 566 kilometers of rural tracks have been renovated. With this rehabilitation, producers were able to have easy access to their plantations.

Sylvain Ano Kouao, president of the CGA "Niamien-Dissou", also benefited from the spin-offs of the PAIA-ID, which allowed the increase in cultivable land and the improvement of productivity, which strengthened food security.

“The developments made allowed us to exploit a large area, says Ano Kouao, citing the 33 hectares developed with a water reservoir and a dam, and the delivery of a store and a warehouse. We now have enough rice to feed our family”.

The development of irrigated agriculture has revitalized the local economy. With the exception of yam, the production of the target crops exceeded 300,000 tons at project completion.

With plantain and cassava, local production could reach 310,000 tonnes by the end of 2020. The project has empowered women, who account for a quarter of the beneficiaries.

PAIA-ID has also invested in capacity building, support for women and young people in the region, the high point of the project for the sustainability of activities.

The project installed 200 cocoa fermentation tanks, distributed 20 quality control kits, supported 20 coffee-cocoa cooperatives to bring them into compliance with the legal provisions relating to cooperative societies, and supported the organization of 71 sector groups. More than 2,100 producers have been trained in agricultural practices through the project, the report concludes.