(Ecofin Agency) - In order to improve tenure of lands used for cotton-farming in 17 villages located in the Mankono department, in the North Western part of Ivory Coast, deeds will be freely awarded, by 2018.

The operation will take place in the framework of a public-private partnership agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Ivorian Inter-professional Association for Cotton (Intercoton).  

“Under the agreement, land titles will be provided to holders of 8,500 ha of land and plots across the 17 villages will be delineated for free. However, the program’s beneficiaries will have to pay a fee of CFA10000,” the press agency reported citing the project’s deputy coordinator, Kra Konan Maxime.    

The project will cost CFA6.3 billion and is expected to be completed in October 2018. In the case the experience is successfully implemented, it could be repeated all over the Ivorian cotton basin.

Souha Touré