IADF grants Côte d’Ivoire US$22 million to improve food security

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (PANA) – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Friday granted Côte d’Ivoire US$22.5 million to help the country improve its food security and revenues of small peasants, young men and rural women, according to a statement from the Rome-based organization.

The agreement was signed by the Ivorian ambassador in Italy, Mrs Janine Tagliante-Saracino, and the IFAD president, Kanayo F. Nwanze.

The project will lead to sustainable development in a context of post-crisis environment in the country's three Northern regions - the Savannah, the Valley of Bandama and Zanzan.

To improve food security and revenue of households in the regions, the project would facilitate the access of peasants to improved seeds, other inputs and mechanized agriculture.

The project, co-financed by the Ivorian government, will be implemented by the Ivorian ministry of Agriculture and will benefit directly and indirectly more than 25,000 poor rural families, including women and young men.

IFAD has since its first intevention in Côte d’Ivoire in 1984 financed nine programmes totalling US$99.2 million for the benefit of 523,000 families.
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