As part of the “Scaling up climate-resilient rice production” project, the regional training for trainers’ workshop is being held at the Agricultural Mechanization Training Centre of Grand Lahou, under the supervision of the National Agency for Rural Development Support (ANADER) in Côte d'Ivoire. The training that brings together more than 40 participants representing 13 countries, started on Monday, April 1, 2024.
The regional training of trainer’s workshop for the "Scaling up climate-resilient rice farming" project is being held at the Agricultural Mechanization Training Centre in Grand Lahou, under the direction of the National Agency for Rural Development Support (ANADER) in Côte d'Ivoire. It kicked off this Monday, April 1, 2024 with an opening ceremony marking the start of the training course, which brings together more than 40 people representing 13 countries.
The opening ceremony was marked by the speeches of Mr. Souleymane BAMBA, Director of the Agricultural Mechanization Training Centre of Grand Lahou, who welcomed the participants and restated the centre commitment to provide the best conditions for all participants. Then, Dr. Karim TRAORE, Regional Coordinator of the RICOWAS project and coordinator of the RCoS-Rice, recalled the project context and objective to improve climate change resilience and increase the productivity of smallholder producers’ rice systems in West Africa using a climate-resilient rice production approach, benefiting to 13 countries in the region. Mrs. Khaoula JAOUI, OSS Climate Department Director took the floor to emphasize the objectives and results targeted by this regional initiative which aligns with national agricultural strategies and the Rice sector in particular while emphasizing its importance as a staple food for the people of the region. She indicated the importance of this workshop in training trainers who will have a key role to play in the project execution from building the capacities of extension technicians to the final beneficiary rice farmers. Finally, the workshop was officially launched by Mrs. Nzi Kangoute, Zone Manager and Representative of the Director General of the National Agency for Rural Development Support (ANADER). She thanked all stakeholders for having chosen Côte d'Ivoire to host this important event and indicated the role that ANADER plays in the implementation of the rice food program for Côte d'Ivoire as well as the RICOWAS project in strengthening the achievements of the national program.
The two sessions of the first day focused on deepening knowledge about rice and the Intensive Rice Farming System (SRI) and Climate Resilient Rice Production (CRRP). These sessions allowed participants to have updated knowledge on rice and to share with the trainers the difficulties they encounter in putting these farming techniques into practice, particularly the mechanization issues.
The following sessions will focus on practical aspects, including seed selection, setting up nurseries and replanting.