By ken koutchakpo
Over the course of three days, some thirty paddy farmers from Bouaké benefited from intensive training on good agricultural practices, as part of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Phase II programme.
This workshop, organised by the National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA) in partnership with AfricaRice, was held from May 14 to 16, 2025, in Bouaké, with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of representatives of Gbêkê Regional Prefecture – Mr TUO Fozié, the Bouaké Departmental Prefecture – Dr Fatoumata TRAORE, and the Bouaké urban council – M Amadou KONE. Their involvement reflects the commitment of local authorities to support strategic initiatives that contribute to food and nutritional security for the population.
The TAAT Rice Compact Coordinators at the regional and national levels, Dr. Sali Ndindeng and Dr. Ernest Dépieu, highlighted the importance of this activity in rolling out agricultural innovations on the ground.
They welcomed its successful implementation and reaffirmed the program’s ambition to strengthen the technical capacity of farmers to sustainably enhance the competitiveness of the rice sector in Côte d’Ivoire.
Throughout the training, participants explored innovative technological solutions, improved practices, and practical tools to address the challenges faced by stakeholders in the rice value chain from seed producers to farmers, processors, traders, and service providers.
The farmers were trained through multiple modules delivered by researchers from CNRA and partner institutions, including AfricaRice. The modules covered essential topics such as varietal selection and cropping techniques, fertilization and water management, control of rice diseases and pests, and post-harvest techniques for paddy drying and storage.
Beyond technology transfer, the training also served to strengthen linkages across the rice value chain—an essential condition for building an inclusive, competitive, and sustainable rice sector. Stronger linkages mean better coordination, improved market access, reduced post-harvest losses, and greater value-addition to the local produce.
Furthermore, the workshop served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective reflection on the opportunities and prospects of the rice sector in Bouaké in particular and Côte d’Ivoire in general. It brought together farmers, researchers, traders, processors, and other key stakeholders in an integrated approach to value chain development.
Thanks to funding from the African Development Bank, TAAT continues to pursue its goal of increasing rice productivity by 25% and reaching over 2.26 million beneficiaries through the scaling up proven agricultural technologies.
Closing the workshop, Dr. Sali Ndindeng, Regional Coordinator of the TAAT Rice Program, encouraged all participants to become “ambassadors of change” by applying the knowledge gained, sustaining the partnerships forged, and actively contributing to the transformation of the rice sector.
The outcomes of this training are therefore promising for national agricultural development, with direct impacts on food security, rural income improvement, and the resilience of agri-food systems.
Bouaké thus confirms its strategic role in promoting agricultural innovations and strengthening platforms for exchange among rice sector stakeholders, for a prosperous and self-sufficient Africa.
