To boost agricultural productivity and ensure more abundant harvests for farmers, Agronomist Marcelin Aubourg, the Minister of Agriculture, visited Durcis, a commune with strong agricultural potential, and distributed high-quality peanut seeds to support and strengthen this agricultural sector. This activity was carried out within the framework of the Resilient Agriculture for Food Security Project (PARSA), funded by the World Bank.
During his visit, the Minister met with farmers organized into associations to better understand their concerns and effectively guide the Ministry's interventions.
In terms of immediate support, the Ministry, through the PARSA project, plans to deliver 130 tons of peanut seeds to support the revitalization of this strategic sector in the four departments (South, Nippes, Central, and Grand'Anse). This intervention complements actions already undertaken as part of the spring campaign, including the distribution of 200 tons of beans, 3.5 million cassava cuttings, 1.3 million banana seedlings, and 2.6 million yam plants, aimed at strengthening agricultural production in the various intervention zones and improving working conditions for farmers.
Beyond the distribution of agricultural inputs, Aubourg, in his vision for modernizing the sector, has placed particular emphasis on irrigation, which he considers an essential pillar of agricultural production. To this end, he intends to strengthen hydraulic infrastructure to better meet the water needs of farmers, while ensuring a continuous supply of this resource, thus guaranteeing stable yields and food security.
Also within the framework of this drive to increase national production, the Minister announced the upcoming establishment of a bovine artificial insemination center in the South Department. This center aims to improve milk and meat production by providing farmers with modern techniques to enhance the sector's performance. It also highlighted the support already provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in implementing this initiative, illustrating the importance of international cooperation in developing the agricultural sector and strengthening food security.
