The oil palm sector in Cote d’Ivoire, Africa’s leading exporter of crude palm oil, generates an annual turnover of 450 billion CFA francs for primary and secondary processors.
The development of the oil palm sector relies on more than 50,000 smallholders spread over some 220,000 hectares of village plantations. The sector generates more than 50 billion CFA francs in annual income for farmers.
The oil palm sector occupies a prominent position in our country’s economy and has been growing steadily in recent years. It now accounts for more than 4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In order to consolidate its position as a leader on the continent, stakeholders in the sector want to unite their efforts. The 2023 PALMCI Farmers’ Day was launched on Thursday 30 March in the presence of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Kobenan Kouassi.
“The creation of this event, now in its 5th edition, responds specifically to the desire of a key player in our agro-industrial landscape to highlight the importance and socio-economic role of the oil palm sector for our country,” said Mr. Kouassi.
As Africa’s second largest producer of crude palm oil, with 650,000 tonnes, Cote d’Ivoire “has a production capacity that we must maintain and increase so that the country can assert its sovereignty with confidence,” according to the minister of state.
“If we want a prosperous and resilient Ivorian agriculture, able to withstand endogenous and exogenous shocks, we must strengthen the public-private partnership,” said Kouassi, who once again invited the private sector to seize the numerous opportunities offered by the Ivorian agricultural sector.
AP/lb/abj/APA