• FAO and Japan to provide $1.2 million to support Côte d’Ivoire’s rice digitalization.
• Funding builds on existing tools like the Orange Agritech platform.
• The country must raise rice output by 55% to meet self-sufficiency targets by 2026.

Côte d’Ivoire will receive $1.2 million in funding from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with financial backing from the Japanese government, to support the digital transformation of its rice sector. The announcement was made on July 29 during a meeting between FAO representative Nyemah Joseph and Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani.

According to the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP), the funding aims to strengthen digital systems across the rice value chain. Although the exact rollout details have yet to be disclosed, the initiative is expected to build on the country's current efforts to modernize rice production and management tools.

This support follows progress already made under the National Strategy for Rice Development (SNDR 2.0), which includes the launch of Orange Agritech—a digital platform created through a partnership with telecom operator Orange Côte d’Ivoire. The platform was developed to automate tasks across the rice chain, from production to marketing.

Orange Agritech offers real-time access to weather and water data, digital tools for managing inventory, equipment, and personnel, as well as electronic payment options and telecom services compatible with various devices.

In 2022, the Agricultural and Management Company (AMC), one of the country’s largest rice processors, integrated Orange Agritech into its operations. The goal was to improve support for farmers, streamline logistics, and enhance access to inputs and financing.

The next step will focus on expanding the platform's reach across the entire rice ecosystem. The new funding is expected to accelerate that process and help reduce inefficiencies in both production and distribution.

This effort is critical as Côte d’Ivoire races to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2026. In 2024, the country produced 1.4 million tons of white rice, far short of its 2.5 million-ton consumption. Experts estimate that production must increase by nearly 55% within two years for the country to meet its target.