Renforcement de la résilience des producteurs de cacao par la diversification des productions agricoles

The agricultural sector is a pillar of Côte d'Ivoire's economy, employing more than half of the country's working population. As the world's leading producer of cocoa and cashew nuts, Côte d'Ivoire is a key player in these sectors. With an estimated population of 27.5 million, agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Ivorian economy, representing over 25% of GDP. Border closures and a decline in cocoa exports, coupled with the COVID-19 crisis, have created food insecurity and cash flow problems for family farmers, among the poorest segments of the population.

After Abidjan, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, San Pedro is the country's second economic hub, fueled by its port activity, and is the world's largest cocoa port. Today, very few local products are found in the markets of San Pedro and its surrounding areas, which are filled with imported goods. This is also the case for fish products, where it is very rare to find locally caught fish in the markets. The need for these types of products among the population of the Bas Sassandra region is growing. Extremely dependent on cash crops and imports, local food systems are fragile and unable to effectively cope with various crises. It is therefore crucial to strengthen them quickly to better withstand future challenges.

Thus, through this project, the AFDI Indre association supports 12 producers from the SCA2B cooperative, owners of low-lying areas suitable for developing fish farming activities in order to meet the local food needs of the population and with the aim of diversifying
their economic activities.