On Wednesday March 19, 2025, INADES-Formation and its partners AVSF, GRET and INP-HB launched the CACAOECO project, which aims to introduce agro-ecological practices to cocoa growing in the CI region. The event took place at the Rose Blanche Hotel in Angré.
Faced with the major challenges facing the cocoa industry in Côte d’Ivoire, agroecology is an essential solution to guarantee the sustainability of this vital sector. This was the strong message delivered by Dr. ATTA Kouamé François, MEMINADER-PV Director of Human Resources and Training, representing Minister of State KOBENAN Kouassi Adjoumani, at the CACAOECO project launch workshop. He confirmed that the CACAOECO project, which aims to “build the capacity of cooperatives to promote and develop agro-ecological practices in cocoa farming in Côte d’Ivoire”, is fully in line with the ambitions and priorities of MEMINADER-PV / the Ivorian government, which is committed to the sustainable transformation of agriculture.
The launch ceremony was attended by MEMINADER-PV, the Ministry of the Environment, the Prefect of the Adzopé region, Cocody town council, journalists, international organizations, the Cocoa Coffee Council, the representative of the beneficiary cooperatives and project partners. The CACAOECO project is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by a consortium of organizations comprising INADES-Formation, AVSF, GRET, INP-HB and Ethiquable. Lasting three years from 2024-2027, it covers the regions of Adzopé, Divo and San Pédro.
The CACAOECO project aims to increase productivity, restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen the administrative, economic, financial and commercial capacities of 10 cocoa-growing cooperatives, and promote the empowerment of women and young people. Ultimately, it will enable 10 biofactories to be set up for the production and marketing of organic inputs, as well as the establishment of permanent systems for experimentation, training and technical support.
As pointed out by Mr. KOUAME Alphonse, Director of Programs at INADES-Formation, representing the Secretary General of INADES-Formation, the CACAOECO project is a scaling-up of the biofactory project carried out from 2021 to 2023 by INADES-Formation, which successfully installed two biofactories.
“The success of this initiative depends on our collective commitment to promoting agricultural practices that respect our environment and benefit future generations”, concluded Dr. ATTA Kouamé François.concluded Dr. ATTA Kouamé François, reaffirming the commitment of the Ministry of Agriculture to support all actions aimed at making Ivorian agriculture a model of sustainability and prosperity.
