African Development Bank (AfDB) just granted Cote d’Ivoire FCFA600 million to fight avian flu. Funding agreement was signed on April 6, 2016, at Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, between the representative of AfDB’s president and Cote d’voire’s minister for fishery resources, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani. “The grant will serve to reinforce veterinary services, in order to improve and efficiently...

A study by Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) revealed that Morocco should establish an inter-profession for the leguminous industry. Scientists from this institution formed a consortium with scientists of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Arid Areas, the Hassan II Veterinary and Agricultural Institute, the OCP Foundation and the International...

Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Mofa) recently mentioned a policy which aims to decrease poultry imports. The policy, according to authorities, should improve local production. Statistics from the ministry shows that local supply meets only 42% of national demand, thus letting imports from Europe and America fill deficit. During a recent tour of the Tema harbour, Mofa’s deputy...

The government of Ghana is currently in negotiation with actors of the private sector to finalize a strategic plan for the development of the cashew industry. Extending over 10 years, this plan will boost the country’s output to 150,000 tons from 50,000 tons, Ghanaweb reveals. Upon the implementation of this plan, the processing sector for the nut which has a total capacity of 65,000 tons...

Could the harmattan adversely affect Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa output this year? That is the question currently on the minds of experts as this Saharan dry wind blowing over West Africa infiltrated Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt few weeks earlier than expected. If the harmattan was to prolonge, it could kill the young pods and affect soil humidity, thus shrinking the size of beans. Out of the...

This season could be an exceptional one for Madagascar in terms of lychees exports. Truly, the island plans to export between 20,000 to 22,000 tons of this fruit at the end of the 2015-2016 season against 17,500 tons only for the previous season. “Due to favorable weather conditions, harvesting of lychees this year is excellent, both in terms of quality and quantity,” Thierry Samtio,...

In Côte d’Ivoire the national cocoa traders have decided to react to the supremacy of their international counterparts in the sector. In order to become more competitive, they have decided to create an Ivorian Traders Association (GNI). This structure is the result of the merger of six cocoa and coffee export companies, indicated the press note. Conscious of the issues which led to the...

Ali Bongo Ondimba commissioned on Friday the new production site of sustainable palm oil of Olam, in Kango, in the Estuaire province. The head of state noted that, "faced with the challenges of development, this plant brings an answer which takes into account the local communities and the environment". Moreover, he observed that 800 jobs had already been created. A further 120 signings are...

Indian company Kirloskar Brothers Ltd will provide funds for agricultural development in Guinea Bissau. The group signed an agreement with the government of Guinea Bissau for US$ 10 million to support rice growing, horticulture and cattle breeding in the country. According to the terms and conditions of the agreement, KBL’s financing will be used to support the government's efforts to achieve...

In Côte d’Ivoire, the region of Bafing will see the revival of a soy bean growing project which was abandoned for some years by the government. On a visit to Touba, President Ouattara announced the return of this project from 2016. “I have the pleasure of announcing something that we all have our hearts set on here in the region of Touba. This is the revival as at next year of the soy bean...