2020
Partnership with Ufacoci to develop technical and economic advisory services as part of diversification through maize production
CONSEIL NORD
Supporting farmers in northern Côte d’Ivoire in the transition toward diversified and resilient farming systems
ANNUAL BUDGET:
200,000 €
Context
In the Savanes District of northern Côte d’Ivoire, cotton and cashew production play a central role in the agricultural economy. Since 2020, Fert has been supporting FOs seeking to diversify their agricultural activities, with a focus on financial viability and adaptation to climate change.
Ufacoci (a union of 208 cotton cooperatives created in 2009 and representing nearly 63,000 farmers) develops advisory services, collective input purchasing, storage, and marketing of hybrid maize. 28 local FOs are also improving production and post-harvest techniques to develop legume value chains such as cowpea and groundnut, as well as vegetable value chains.
Partnership Objectives
- Support family farms in the transition to agroecology
- Encourage diversification through the development of maize, legume, and vegetable crops
- Improve the management of traditional livestock systems and strengthen crop-livestock integration
- Support collective projects and services developed by farmer organizations
Key moments
Our Impact
1 250
farmers from
20 Ufacoci member
cooperatives supported
1 450
farmers, including
63% women, from
27 village groups supported
110
active lead farmers
+ 80 %
increase in cowpea yields
over 3 years
550
hectares of hybrid maize and sorghum pre-financed within UFACOCI between 2022 and 2025
Key Results in 2025
✦ 130 farmer field schools or demonstration plots
✦ 425 tonnes of maize stored and marketed by Ufacoci
✦ 5 storage facilities constructed
LONG-TERM TRIAL IN M’BENGUÉ
In northern Côte d’Ivoire, farms are facing progressive soil degradation, increasingly severe climate risks, and a growing need for innovation. Against this backdrop, Fert, together with Ufacoci, Cirad, and Ivoire Coton, conducted a long-term on-farm trial in M’Bengué to test new, more resilient cropping systems with farmers.
