On Monday 01 August 2022, the Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi visited the fish farming station of Loka, near Bouaké in central Ivory Coast. He was present at the venue for the official launching of the PSTACI. It is a vast program that will allow the transformation of Ivorian aquaculture. The objective of this program is to produce 550,000 tons of fish per year in order to make the country self-sufficient.
The Ivorian government is working to ensure food self-sufficiency and boost its economy. To achieve this, it has launched a vast project called PSTACI. The aim is to renovate the primary sector, specifically the fisheries sector. Indeed, the program had already been initiated since February 2022, nevertheless, the Ivorian Prime Minister wanted to make it official on 1 August. The duration of the project is five years and renewable and is of paramount importance to the Ivorian government, as it will help the country avoid inflation and food insecurity.
A project initiated as a result of the high demand for fish products on the market.
Statistical data have shown that on the market as well as for consumption, fishery products respond effectively to customer demand. Consequently, the PSTACI project, initiated by the Ivorian government, is well placed to respond to customer demands in a timely manner. It is therefore very common in Ivory Coast for most restaurants and maquis to offer grilled or braised fish. According to Prime Minister Patrick Achi, fish today represents more than 50% of Ivorians’ animal protein intake. But national fisheries production covers only 14% of the population’s needs.
As a reminder, Ivory Coast has 550 km of fish-filled coastline, 3,400 km of rivers and hectares of lakes and lagoons. It is also the world’s largest importer of frozen tilapia fish. However, despite its fisheries resources, Ivory Coast imports the majority of carp, tilapia, captains and mackerel, notably from Asia. Also, according to Patrick Achi, the cost of fish imports amounts to over 300 billion CFA francs each year. This program will therefore revitalize the sector, create jobs and attract the attention of new companies.
The Ivorian fisheries sector is said to be the least developed because of the high cost of imported food, the lack of qualified human resources and the low level of investment in the sector.
Charbel Ahouandjinou(stag).
