CIRAD was at the 2019 Salon de l’agriculture in Abidjan, a crucial event in terms of policy and strategy

Event 12 December 2019
The Salon international de l’agriculture et des ressources animales (SARA) was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from 22 November to 1 December 2019. CIRAD, in association with AFD, made a substantial contribution to the organization and success of the French presence at the event. SARA2019 placed France centre stage, and proved to be a crucial event in terms of agriculture, policy and strategy.
CIRAD and AFD organized or were involved in a wide range of events during SARA 2019, including a conference on agricultural product quality © CIRAD

 © CIRAD

From 22 November to 1 December 2019, no fewer than 300 000 visitors and more than 700 exhibitorsmet in Abidjan for the Salon international de l’agriculture et des ressources animales (SARA). France was the guest of honour at the event, with a pavilion measuring almost 400 m², housing more than 60 exhibitors and 85 firms, including CIRAD and the Agence française pour le développement (AFD

CIRAD and AFD had a joint stand at the heart of the institutional area of the France pavilion, and welcomed a large number of visitors, including professionals, academics and researchers, and several dignitaries from Ivory Coast - the Ministers for Forests, of Agriculture, and of Industry, a delegation of MPs - and France - the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Development Cooperation. the highlight was a visit from the President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara.

Throughout its history, CIRAD has worked with Ivory Coast on research for development. It has also placed agriculture in Africa at the heart of its strategy.

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A renewed partnership with Ivory Coast

There were many events involving CIRAD and AFD during the week, including discussion panels and conferences on a wide range of topics, a "France" day to publicize what France has to offer in terms of public- and private-sector research on the transition to economically, socially and environmentally efficient agroecological farming systems, and signings of various agreements and launches of initiatives.

CIRAD and AFD also organized a press field trip to the Anyama cocoa plantings, to demonstrate the potential for using organic fertilizers in the sector.

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Climat | Developing organic fertilization, for more sustainable, resilient agriculture

The events, and the many exchanges with players involved in agriculture in Ivory Coast, allowed CIRAD and AFD to present their operations in Ivory Coast and the sub-region, and to look into several possibilities for collaboration.

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