Development of Agriculture: Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani Reaffirms Government's Commitment to Establishing a Strong Seed Sector

The Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, has reiterated the Ivorian government's commitment to building a solid seed sector capable of supporting the country's agricultural development ambitions.

Speaking at the Seed Summit for the Agri-food Sector on October 9, 2024, in Abidjan, Minister Adjoumani emphasized that this gathering aims not only to review the challenges facing the Ivorian seed industry but also to propose a realistic roadmap. This roadmap is designed to establish, in the short, medium, and long term, a seed sector that serves as a reference point both on the African continent and globally.

According to the minister, the ultimate goal is to develop a high-performing and competitive agricultural sector, both in terms of production costs and quality, to meet market demands. He stressed that the input sector, particularly seeds, is a crucial element of agricultural production, as well as food and nutritional security.

Minister Adjoumani also reminded the audience that the Ivorian government, through various programs and projects, is working to ensure the availability and accessibility of quality seeds for farmers. Among these initiatives is the Emergency Food Production Program (2PAUCI), which aims to produce an additional 2 million tons of cassava, 546,987 tons of maize, and 796,323 tons of rice.

By strengthening the seed sector, Côte d'Ivoire seeks to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system that not only meets local needs but also positions the country as a key player in the global agricultural market.