Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts to modernize food crop agriculture and strengthen food security

The Ivorian government aims to make food crop farming a driver of economic growth and a cornerstone of food sovereignty. In line with this objective, Bernard Kini Comoé, Minister Delegate in charge of Food Crop Production, provided substantial support to producers in Daloa and Yamoussoukro on June 12 and 13, 2026. The support package included five tractors equipped with soil cultivation accessories, 20 tonnes of improved rice seeds, 100 tonnes of urea fertilizer, 150 tonnes of NPK fertilizer, as well as financial assistance for farmers.

This initiative, which forms part of the government's policy to modernize food crop agriculture, began in Boundiali before continuing in Daloa and Yamoussoukro.

According to the Minister Delegate attached to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crop Production, this support for agricultural mechanization is fully aligned with the vision of President Alassane Ouattara, who sees food crop farming as a key driver of economic growth and a pillar of food sovereignty.

The objective, he said, is to increase cultivated areas and improve yields through the introduction of modern technologies and the enhanced use of agricultural inputs.

In the Daloa department, the representative of Minister Bruno Nabagné Koné focused on the development of a 500-hectare irrigated area already engaged in intensive production. Farmers in this zone had received 25 tonnes of improved maize seeds at the beginning of the farming season, further strengthening agricultural activities.

According to Mamadou Touré, President of the Haut-Sassandra Regional Council and representative of the ceremony’s patron, this support has reduced the physical burden of agricultural work while improving production levels and farmers' incomes.

In Suibiakro, in the Yamoussoukro department, agricultural equipment and inputs worth more than CFA 370 million were made available to producers. This support is intended to improve yields, increase farmers' incomes, and enhance the attractiveness of the agricultural sector to young people.

Present at this stage of the initiative, Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Planning and Development and patron of the ceremony, praised the program as being fully consistent with the Head of State’s policy for rural development.

"We must build a modern, smart, climate-resilient, mechanized agriculture sector capable of attracting more young people," he urged.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Bra Kouassi welcomed the support aimed at strengthening farmers' production capacities and pledged that the equipment and agricultural inputs received would be used responsibly.

In total, four pilot departments Boundiali, Daloa, Yamoussoukro, and Ferkessédougou are participating in this experimental phase, which covers a total area of 2,000 hectares.