(Ecofin Agency) - Côte d'Ivoire wants to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for its supply of animal proteins. To this end, it is multiplying initiatives to strengthen the livestock, fishing, and aquaculture sectors. 

Côte d'Ivoire plans to mobilize more than $1.6 billion to finance its National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (Ponadepa 2022-2026), the government announced last Sunday.

The money will fund the implementation of five national development strategies in the field of livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture. The strategies are for the promotion and coordination of initiatives in the animal and fisheries resources sectors, the development of animal production, the sustainable management of fisheries, the development of aquaculture, and the improvement of veterinary public health.

Ponadepa 2022-2026 wants to reduce Côte d'Ivoire's dependence on imports and gradually help the country achieve animal and fish protein self-sufficiency. It specifically aims to boost local production so that the country can cover 70% and 65% of its animal and fish product needs respectively by 2026.

Côte d'Ivoire depends mainly on foreign countries for its supply of animal proteins. National fisheries production covers only 14% of the country's needs, we learn. According to Minister of Animal Resources Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Ponadepa 2022-2026 will complement other projects to change that fact. When implemented, Ponadepa will create more than 700,000 direct jobs and 1.5 million indirect jobs.

Jean-Marc Gogbeu

Lire aussi: