Agriculture
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2018
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With a wide variety of crops and a high number of cultivation regions, agriculture has long been a valuable economic sector. Fertile land, sought-after cash crops and a favourable climate have all contributed to the industry becoming a crucial source of revenue. Besides being the number-one cocoa producer in the world for many years, Côte d’Ivoire has become one of the largest cashew nut exporters as well. The government is also seeking to raise the amount of domestic processing and in-country value addition by implementing new measures to advance the sector and provide it with a competitive advantage when difficult global market conditions arise.

This chapter contains an interview with Pierre Billon, Managing Director, SIFCA Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Land of riches: Increased diversification makes the sector more resilient
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In recent years the government has implemented new measures to advance the sector, including increased public investment and a long-term national development plan aimed at growing export capabilities – efforts that are beginning to bear fruit. Raising the level of local processing for domestically grown goods will be fundamental in adding value to the sector and lower the sector’s exposure to international price volatility. As two major cash earners that have potential for further growth,…

Analysis

Damage control: Despite excess global supply pushing commodity prices down, cocoa remains an important crop for the country
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On average, Côte d’Ivoire produces 40% of the total global cocoa crop each year, and the industry employs roughly 800,000 mostly small-scale farmers, making it an essential source of income for the national economy. Besides supporting the livelihood of populations in rural areas across the country, cocoa production is also a critical contributor to state finances through taxes and export levies. A report by ratings agency Moody’s forecast that the persisting drop in cocoa prices would…

Interview

Palm pilots: Pierre Billon, Managing Director, SIFCA Group, on meeting the challenge of yields and sustainable agriculture in West Africa
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Interview:Pierre Billon What potential for growth do palm oil and rubber plantations hold in Côte d’Ivoire? PIERRE BILLON: Regional demand for palm oil-based products continues its upward trend, driven by several factors, such as rising income levels, consumer habits and demographic flows. The development of rubber also holds long-term potential and offers opportunities for increasing exports. There will a slowdown in the number of new plantations in Asia, and given geographic limitations…

Analysis

Room to grow: Securing access to land remains an obstacle to new development
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While having a central role in the Ivorian economy – accounting for 25% of the country’s GDP and 60% of its exports – agricultural expansion over the medium term remains limited by the ineffectual allocation of agriculture land plots. Disagreements between growers and herders regularly leads to violent localised conflicts. Furthermore, the availability of adequate farming land in some areas of the country has become further strained by the impacts of climate change. According to government…