Ivory Coast: a new generation trained in fish farming in Man, with the support of the African Development Bank

AfDB NEWS & EVENTS

20-Mar-2020

Technical training on the practice of fish farming was provided to 35 young Ivorians from March 12 to 14 in Man, in western Côte d'Ivoire, with financial support from the African Development Bank.

This training took place in the framework of the implementation of the Support for the empowerment of women and young people component of the Strengthening of Electricity Transport and Distribution Networks (PRETD) Project in the Mountain District.

The Support Project for the Empowerment of Women and Youth in the Regions of the Mountain District of PRETD was funded to the tune of 1.07 million euros by the African Development Bank. Led by the public company Côte d'Ivoire Énergies, it is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Côte d'Ivoire.

The training focused on the fundamental knowledge to be acquired in fish farming, pond management, technical routes, mastery of technical tasks and accounting management. “We also made recommendations to them on keeping a farm notebook in order to make their project a success in the medium term. This should allow, in 18 months, to have a new generation of fish farmers, ”assured Habib Coulibaly, trainer.

Raymond Kitandala, energy expert at the African Development Bank, invited the beneficiaries of the training to make the most of the lessons learned. “Apply what you have learned to make the project a success. And this will only be successful when all Ivorians are happy to eat Made in Man fish, ”he advised them.

Olivier Koffi, head of the Transport Networks and Interconnection Department at Côte d'Ivoire Energies, pilot project partner, expressed a feeling of pride "at the desire of young women and men to achieve empowerment. Know that this training is a real opportunity for you, that it is the start of the increase in your income. And if we come back here in six months, we want to see a smile on all faces, ”he said.

"The training was very beneficial for all the beneficiaries," admitted Bernard Toazaman, president of the NGO Association for Development and Renaissance, spokesperson for the listeners. It allowed us to understand that fish farming is not done on the fly. In six months, we will demonstrate that the assistance provided by the African Development Bank and its partners is not fortuitous. We will be a point of reference. "

According to Bernard Toazaman, the project allows a fight against insecurity and unemployment of young people, by the occupation of the latter and the economic take-off of the region. “More importantly, the young people of the Mountain District will no longer have the desire to cross the sea and think of Europe. They all know there are ways to be self-reliant by staying here, ”he concluded. 

About fish farmers:

Janvier Feh (40 years old, Dompleu)

“I am very happy to have taken part in this training. There are many things I could not control like the maintenance of the fry to get enough larvae and produce fish. I also retained the procedure of feeding the fish. I look forward to implementing what I have learned. My goal is to produce a lot of fish and have more income to support my family. ”

Thérèse Oulaï (37, Mahapleu)

“In my ponds, I fed my fry every day and at any time of the day. But today, I understood that we had to wait at least for sunrise. This means that this training was very instructive. It brought us knowledge. I will do my best to respect the instructions because I want to get out of the current suffering and take charge of myself genuinely ”. 

Moïse Uyé Francis (42, Guiglo)

“Through the trainer, who is a successful example in terms of fish farmer, I followed his modules with great interest. I want to thank the African Development Bank and its partners for giving us the opportunity to upgrade. My ambition is to succeed in my activity and above all to teach other people the techniques of fish farming so that they will find their account too. ”