2023 What Crops Does Ivory Coast Produce: Expert Tell You

Cocoa – Ivory Coast’s Pride and Joy

Ivory Coast is the world’s largest cocoa producer, accounting for roughly 40% of the annual global cocoa bean harvest. Cocoa production has been ivory coast’s pride and joy for decades, making up 30% of the country’s GDP and over 65% of total export earnings. Cocoa represents a main source of income for nearly 2 million smallholder farmers in ivory coast. The sector has been a strong driver of Ivory Coast’s economic growth and development.
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ivory coast, cashew nuts, brown wall nuts and pinecone decors — *Photo by* *Annie Spratt* / *Unsplash*

The Rich Diversity of Cashew Production

Cashew production is the ivory coast’s second largest export crop after cocoa beans, providing jobs and income for thousands of farmers across the country. Cashew cultivation began in 1935 and has grown substantially since then. Some key facts about the industry:

Cashew accounts for around 10% of agricultural export earnings and provides a livelihood for over 500,000 farmersin ivory coast.
Total cashew production in ivory coast was 146,000 tonnes in 2016, behind India which is the world’s largest producer.
Most cashew farms in ivory coast are small-scale, ranging from 1 to 5 hectares. They are usually rain-fed and rely on traditional cultivation techniques.
Yields remain relatively low at 450 kg per hectare, compared to over 1000 kg per hectare in productive farms in Asia.

Efforts are being made to boost productivity through providing farmers with improved varieties,fertilizers, pesticides and planting material.The government has also started programs to promote mechanization, add value to cashew nuts and facilitate access to finance for small farmers.

ivory coast, cocoa beans, brown coffee beans on gray surface — *Photo by* *Mark Daynes* / *Unsplash*

The Thriving Coffee Industry in Ivory Coast

Coffee is a significant crop for [ivory coast’s] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Ivory_Coast “Agriculture in Ivory Coast”) farmers, providing income for over 100,000 smallholders. The country is the fifth largest coffee producer in Africa, with production reaching 130,000 metric tonnes in recent years. Some key aspects of ivory coast’s coffee sector:

Coffee revenue accounts for nearly 5% of the country’s export earnings and employs around 3% of the rural population.
It is a major source of rural employment, especially for women farmers who make up over 40% of coffee growers.
Nearly all coffee farms are small-scale, ranging from 1 to 5 hectares. Many trees are old and yields remain relatively low at 400–600 kg per hectare.
The industry faces challenges including limited financing, high production costs, and lack of processing facilities for value addition.
Initiatives are underway to improve quality and specialty coffee production through introducing Geisha and Arabica varieties, improve extension services and promote organic farming.
The government has set ambitious targets to more than double production to over 300,000 tonnes by 2025 through rehabilitation programs and cooperatives.

If well developed, ivory coast’s coffee industry has potential for sustainable growth given suitable agro-ecological conditions and large number of smallholder farmers. With proper government support and investment, coffee output could rise substantially in the coming years.

ivory coast, cocoa beans, green vegetable on brown wooden table — *Photo by* *Gareth Hubbard* / *Unsplash*

Sustainable Rubber Plantations in the Country

Rubber has a long history of cultivation in ivory coast, dating back to the early 1900s. Though production has declined in recent decades, rubber remains an important crop for farmers. Some facts about rubber farming in ivory coast:

Rubber plantations cover over 200,000 hectares of land and employ around 25,000 smallholder farmers.
Total rubber production was 38,000 tonnes in 2019, accounting for around 3% of agricultural export earnings.
The sector faces challenges of aging rubber trees, low productivity and limited private investment. Average yields are around 1,500 kg per hectare, well below potential levels.
There are opportunities to rejuvenate the rubber industry sustainably through replanting old trees, introducing higher-yielding clones and applying modern agronomic practices.
Switching to a fully sustainable system with smallholder farmers cultivating their lands for Hevea brasiliensis rubber in an environmentally and socially responsible manner could boost yields and incomes.
The government aims to double rubber production to 80,000 tonnes by 2025 through replanting programs, improved seed varieties and support for smallholder farmers.

With appropriate investments and a sustainable development approach, rubber farming in ivory coast has significant untapped potential to generate higher incomes for rural communities while conserving natural resources.