Africa > West Africa > Cote d'Ivoire > Cote d'Ivoire Agriculture Profile

Côte d'Ivoire: Cote d'Ivoire Agriculture Profile

2016/12/03

globserver agriculture cote d ivoire

This year’s cereal production expected similar to last year’s above average level

Harvesting of the initial season maize crop and planting of the second season crop have been completed in the South. In the North, which only has one rainy season, the harvesting of cereals is underway. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has continued its support to the agricultural sector by distributing seeds and inputs for the 2016 cropping season. As a result, in spite of the late start of the season in southern bi-modal areas, the 2016 cereal production is estimate similar to last year’s above average level. The increase in coarse grain production is expected to be offset by a slight decline in rice production.

An above average harvest was by presently gathered last year. Production of maize, the major staple cereal, increased by about 7 % compared to the record crop in 2014.

Civil strife hampered agricultural production and access to food in recent years

Agriculture has been seriously damaged in recent years due to civil strife. Labour shortages caused by people displacements, lack of agricultural support services in certain parts of the country, mainly in the northern half, fragmentation of markets and other difficulties related to civil security have had a critical negative impact on agricultural production and food markets in recent years. These problems have been exacerbated by the 2010-2011 post-election crisis, which forced over 300 000 people to leave the country and seek refuge, mostly in eastern Liberia, while thousands of others were internally displaced.

Most displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin, following the development of the security situation. However, UNHCR estimated that about 60 000 Ivoirians were still living in neighbouring nations, mostly in Liberia (38 000) and Ghana (11 500).

Continued assistance still needed for vulnerable people

The lingering effects of the recent civil strife have had a very adverse, longer-term impact on household assets and savings, notably in the northern part of the country. Several segments of the people still need food and non-food assistance to replace their livelihoods and enable them to have better access to food. About 389 783 people are estimated to be in Phase 3: “Crisis”, according to the November 2015 analysis of the “Cadre Harmonisé” (Harmonized Framework) conducted in the country.