China helps Ivory Coast modernize agricultural approaches – Global Voices

Report on Sino-Ivorian Agricultural Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Overview of the Partnership

This report analyzes the agricultural cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, with a specific focus on its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The partnership, formalized through a 2021 agreement between China and the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to bolster agricultural development across Africa. However, bilateral cooperation between China and the Ivory Coast dates back to 1995, primarily targeting the enhancement of the nation’s rice, cocoa, and rubber sectors.

• Objective: To increase agricultural output, improve food security, and stimulate economic growth in the Ivory Coast through technical and financial assistance from China.
• Key Projects: The Guiguido hydro-agricultural rice project and the Abidjan cocoa processing plant.
• Strategic Importance: The cooperation supports China’s goal of increasing its presence in African markets while assisting the Ivory Coast in achieving key development targets.

2.0 Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

2.1 SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The partnership has made direct contributions to alleviating poverty and hunger by increasing agricultural productivity and farmer incomes.

1. Increased Yields: Through the introduction of Chinese rice varieties and technology in the Guiguido Reclamation Area, rice yields have increased from an average of 2.5 tons per hectare to 4 tons per hectare.
2. Enhanced Farmer Income: Rice farmers in the project area have seen their income increase by over 10 percent, with average annual earnings reaching CFA francs 1.578 million (approximately USD 2,800).
3. Food Self-Sufficiency: The collaboration supports the Ivory Coast’s national strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in rice by 2025 and increase its milled rice production to over 2.6 million tons. This is crucial for ensuring national food security (SDG 2).

2.2 SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

Significant investments in agricultural infrastructure and processing capabilities are fostering economic growth and industrialization.

• Cocoa Sector Development: China provided CFA francs 216 billion (nearly USD 390 million) to finance the construction of the Abidjan cocoa processing plant. This is the first large-scale, state-owned facility, enhancing the Ivory Coast’s control over its primary export commodity and strengthening its position in the global market.
• Modernization of Agriculture: A donation of CFA francs 120 million (USD 216,500) is designated for purchasing modern equipment for the Guiguido rice-growing area to mitigate climate change impacts. This investment in modern infrastructure (SDG 9) promotes sustainable economic activity (SDG 8).
• Technical Training: The Chinese Agricultural Technical Assistance Mission (MATAC) facilitates training for local producers and technicians, with at least 50 individuals trained annually, building local capacity and skills.

3.0 Challenges and Risks to Sustainable Development

3.1 Vulnerability to Climate Change and Environmental Degradation (SDG 13, SDG 15)

While the partnership aims to build resilience, the intensification of agriculture poses significant environmental risks that challenge climate justice and the preservation of ecosystems.

• Climate Vulnerability: Ivorian agriculture, which employs over 60 percent of the population, is highly susceptible to climate change impacts, including irregular rainfall, droughts, and soil degradation.
• Risk of Deforestation: Increased production targets for commodities like cocoa create pressure for land expansion. A 2022 NGO investigation by Mighty Earth revealed that nearly 40 percent of Ivorian cocoa already originates from illegally deforested protected areas. Industrialization funded by external partners risks exacerbating this trend, threatening biodiversity and life on land (SDG 15).
• Resource Overexploitation: The expansion of large-scale irrigation and industrial processing poses a risk of overexploiting water resources, which could undermine long-term agricultural sustainability.

3.2 Issues of Inequality and Dependency (SDG 10)

The benefits of modernization may not be distributed equitably, potentially widening the gap between large-scale operations and smallholder farmers.

1. Marginalization of Smallholders: Smallholder farmers, described as the “lifeblood” of the nation, often lack access to formal financing for advanced seeds and equipment. They risk being edged out of the market by large-scale, mechanized operations.
2. Technical Dependence: The reliance on Chinese-made machinery creates a dependency on China for spare parts and maintenance, which could limit the Ivory Coast’s long-term food and agricultural sovereignty.
3. Balancing Profit and Sustainability: Local stakeholders express concern that a narrow focus on yield and profit could lead to the neglect of the negative climate and social consequences of agricultural intensification.

4.0 Conclusion

The Sino-Ivorian agricultural partnership presents a model of international cooperation that is accelerating progress towards several SDGs, notably in poverty reduction, food security, and economic growth. However, these advancements are accompanied by significant challenges related to climate justice, environmental sustainability, and social equity. To ensure long-term success and alignment with the holistic vision of the 2030 Agenda, future initiatives must integrate robust social and environmental safeguards to balance economic development with the preservation of natural resources and the inclusion of vulnerable communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several issues that are directly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis identifies the following SDGs as relevant:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article focuses on increasing the income of farmers in the Ivory Coast, which is a direct effort to combat rural poverty.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core theme is agricultural development, specifically increasing rice production to achieve food self-sufficiency and improve food security.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article discusses the importance of the agricultural sector to the Ivory Coast’s GDP and employment, and how investments in processing plants contribute to economic growth and value addition.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The text describes the introduction of modern agricultural technology, machinery, and the construction of industrial infrastructure like a cocoa processing plant.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly addresses the vulnerability of Ivorian agriculture to climate change and discusses measures to adapt, while also raising concerns about the climate consequences of new agricultural practices.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: A significant concern raised in the article is the risk of deforestation and the exploitation of protected forests for agricultural expansion, particularly for cocoa production.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire article is framed around the partnership between China and the Ivory Coast for agricultural development, involving technology transfer, financial aid, and training.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article mentions that the agricultural cooperation aims to fight “rural poverty” and has led to a direct income increase for rice farmers of “over 10 percent.”

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article states that “Côte d’Ivoire is striving to achieve self-sufficiency in rice by 2025.”
2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article provides evidence of this, noting that “rice production has increased from an average of 2.5 tons per hectare to 4 tons per hectare” and that farmers’ incomes have increased.
3. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. The article discusses the introduction of modern equipment and improved rice varieties to help farmers cope with “new pressures brought on by the climate crisis.” However, it also raises concerns about the sustainability of these practices, such as the risk of overexploiting water resources.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article describes the introduction of “modern agricultural equipment,” “improved rice varieties,” and the construction of a “large-scale cocoa processing plant” as means of technological upgrading and adding value to agricultural products.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product. The construction of the Abidjan cocoa processing plant, the “first large-scale cocoa processing plant” primarily owned by the Ivorian government, is a direct example of industrialization aimed at increasing the country’s control over its key export market.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article highlights that Ivorian agriculture is vulnerable to the “severe effects of climate change” and that the aid from China, including modern equipment, is intended to help farmers adapt.

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The article raises a critical issue that runs counter to this target, citing a report that “nearly 40 percent of Ivorian cocoa comes from illegally deforested areas” and warning that new investments risk “exacerbating or accelerating deforestation.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article is a case study of South-South cooperation, detailing how China provides the Ivory Coast with financial aid (“CFA francs 120 million”), technology (“a batch of agricultural machinery”), and knowledge transfer (“sends our farmers to China for training, and there are also Chinese experts who come here”).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 1 & 2 (Poverty & Hunger)

• Increase in farmer income: “directly increasing rice farmers’ income by over 10 percent.”
• Average annual income: “farmers can earn an average of CFA francs 1.578 million (USD 2,800) per year.”
• Increase in agricultural productivity: “rice production has increased from an average of 2.5 tons per hectare to 4 tons per hectare.”
• National production goal: A target to “increase its production of milled rice to more than 2.6 million tons” by 2025.
• Number of people trained: “Every year, at least 50 people are trained.”
• Provision of improved seeds: “ten tons of rice seeds” were provided.

Indicators for SDG 8 & 9 (Economic Growth & Industry)

• Contribution of agriculture to GDP: “25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.”
• Share of population in agricultural employment: Agriculture “employs over 60 percent of its population.”
• Financial investment in infrastructure: “CFA francs 216 billion in financing (nearly USD 390 million) for the construction of the Abidjan cocoa processing plant.”
• Financial investment in technology: Donation of “CFA francs 120 million (about USD 216,500) to buy modern equipment.”

Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

• Rate of deforestation for agriculture (Negative Indicator): The article cites a report stating that “nearly 40 percent of Ivorian cocoa comes from illegally deforested areas.” This serves as a critical indicator of unsustainable practices.

Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships)

• Formal agreements: The “partnership agreement” signed between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and China in November 2021.
• Specific aid provided: The article lists “rice sorters, combine harvesters, rice milling machines, and ten tons of rice seeds” as examples of material aid.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: globalvoices.org