The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Bruno Nabagné Koné, held discussions with Germany’s ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Matthias Veltin, on strengthening agricultural cooperation, with a focus on sustainable cocoa production and rural development in the northern regions.

The meeting centered on efforts to promote more sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector, a key driver of the national economy and one of the world’s largest sources of cocoa supply.

Both sides also discussed broader agricultural development initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and supporting rural communities in northern Côte d’Ivoire, where agriculture remains a critical source of income.

During the talks, the German ambassador extended an invitation to Minister Koné to attend Germany’s Agricultural Fair scheduled for January 2027, a major international event for the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Minister Koné agreed in principle to the invitation and welcomed what he described as strong bilateral relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Germany, as well as growing German interest in the country’s agricultural sector.

Côte d’Ivoire has in recent years intensified partnerships with international actors to modernize its agricultural systems, improve sustainability, and increase value addition in key export crops such as cocoa.