This project, financed through a concessional loan from Austria’s Kontrollbank (OeKB), in collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Agriculture and the national program “ADERIZ,” marks a significant step toward advancing sustainable dry rice cultivation in the country. By integrating infrastructure development through the establishment of training centers, empowering smallholders, and promoting agricultural mechanization, the project’s main objective is to contribute to long-term and lasting growth and resilience in Côte d’Ivoire’s agriculture sector.

The primary goal of this 2,000-hectare project is to strengthen and expand local sustainable dry rice cultivation in the northwestern regions of Bating and Denguelé, thereby enhancing food security. To support this effort, the project incorporates mechanized agricultural tools for tilling, planting, tending, and harvesting.

A key element of the project’s success is its focus on capacity building and knowledge transfer through a “Train the Trainer” approach, designed to ensure holistic and sustainable knowledge dissemination. The establishment of four “Agricultural Centers” as hubs of expertise, managed by local professionals with tailored training from Austria, guarantees that farmers and technical staff receive the necessary education and skills to sustainably improve agricultural productivity. These centers will serve as focal points for ongoing agricultural innovation, driving the exchange of knowledge and technology to continually enhance farming practices and contribute to food and nutrition security in local communities.

Additionally, the project addresses longstanding infrastructure gaps, while creating new employment opportunities and promoting economic development within these regions.