(Ecofin Agency) - In Côte d’Ivoire, the rebirth of coffee could very well pass through a new variety developed by the National Centre for Agricultural Research (CNRA). This new variety’s main feature is that it enters production after twelve months only (against 24 months for other varieties). “Due to its rapid entry into production, this variety will give rural areas a new momentum,” says Yté Wongbé, head of CNRA.

Moreover, the new coffee provides a potential return of 3 to 3.5 tons per acre. Expanding this variety falls within the scheme for the rebirth of Ivorian production which once was the best on the continent with an annual yield evaluated at 400,000 tons.

With the country currently producing 100,000 tons, the executive pledged to revive the sector through a program costing 8 billion FCFA and launched two years ago, aiming for an output of 200,000 tons of beans by 2018.

Aaron Akinocho