About Côte d'Ivoire: Ivory Coast (more), officially named the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (French: République de Côte d'Ivoire), covers 322,463 sq. km, which is slightly larger than the state of New Mexico. The country’s soil is rich with nutrients, which is ideal for farming. Millions of these acres are undeveloped agricultural land and forest.   The new President, Alassane Ouattara (Encyclopedia Britannica article) was elected in 2010 and has developed a strategic plan to bring business back into the country in effort to stabilize the economy. The Ambassador, Daouda Diabaté has also dedicated most of his time to ensure the success of the country progressing in Agriculture, along with the President, and Prime Minister, AgriSmart, Inc. has the full support of the Ivorian government in our joint venture.   Together we will strengthen the country by modernizing farming through mechanization and irrigation, as well as cutting edge research, development and outreach systems for improving marketing circuits for agriculture. Cote d'Ivoire will feed itself, plus contribute to Africa feeding itself too. These targets are attainable through a proactive approach to the production of Agriculture.

Along with Côte d’Ivoire being the fourth fastest growing economy in the world and considered to be the most business friendly country in Africa, the port in Abidjan is the second largest deep water port in Africa and the main port of trade for eight neighboring countries. (more)   West Africa collectively supplies two thirds of the world's cocoa crop, with Côte d'Ivoire, Africa's Ivory Coast, leading production at 1.65 million tons. (more) Côte d'Ivoire has recently surpassed India to also become the world's largest producer of cashews. (more)   The trends for production, productivity, area cultivated and world market price of maize (corn) in Cote d’Iviore are similar to those for both roots and tubers and rice. Increased food production is needed to feed the rising population in Cote d’Ivoire, by developing varieties of major crops, particularly maize and native oil palms, that are adaptable to the changing climate and are compatible with associated crops.

Agriculture remains the engine of economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire. The country employs up to 70 percent of Ivoirians through farming and livestock. AgriSmart, Inc. will create 10,000 jobs in Côte d'Ivoire, once fully operational.