(Ecofin Agency) - The Ivorian government wants to increase coffee producers’ income to CFA180 billion from CFA60 billion, by 2020. The trade minister, Souleymane Diarrassouba (photo), announced during the 57th annual general meeting of the Inter-African Coffee Organization (OIAC) which ends today in Grand Bassam.

According to him, this should be achieved through the implementation of various actions included in the coffee revival program. The latter, valued at CFA8.3 billion, has been launched since 2014 with the main objective to produce 200, 000 tons by 2020 while processing 35% of yield, against 19% the last five campaigns.

Furthermore, this initiative includes the rehabilitation of about 75, 000 ha of coffee farms and the increase of capacity building support for more than 100, 000 farmers.

“Our responsibility is big today. It will be bigger by tomorrow. We must jointly build a coffee economy that strengthens the viability of our economies, consolidates development achievements and improves living and working standards for farmers,” the official said.

Being the 15^th global coffee producers, Côte d’Ivoire provides less than 5% of the bean’s overall volume. The country mainly exports to North Africa and the European Union

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