ANADER Trains Trainers on the Farmer Business School Rice Approach

ANADER Trains Trainers on the Farmer Business School Rice Approach

Côte d'Ivoire – In a significant step toward enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, the Agence Nationale de Développement Rural (ANADER) successfully conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) program on the Farmers Business School (FBS) Rice Approach. The training, held from February 24 to 28, 2025, at ANADER's Training Centre in Gagnoa, aimed to equip extension agents with the necessary skills to support rice farmers in adopting a more business-oriented approach to agriculture.

The training initiative was launched in response to the introduction of the Rice-Maize-Manioc FBS approach in Côte d'Ivoire. Recognizing the need for specialized expertise, ANADER selected 21 agents, 03 agents/trainers from CIDT and 2 agents or observers from ADERIZ, including four women and eight young professionals, to undergo refresher training. The objective was to enhance their capacity to effectively train rice producers, particularly those linked to the MOVE project partner rice mills.

The program was implemented through a partnership between the MOVE project and ANADER, with the latter providing a master trainer and hosting the training at its facility. The session was officially opened by ANADER's Director of Training and the Director of the Gagnoa Training Centre, underscoring the significance of this initiative in advancing agricultural development in the region.

Beyond the core training sessions, Christian Tassy and Ebenezer Frimpong (joining remotely) conducted an insightful session on the digital transmission of attendance lists via Kobo Toolbox. This segment aimed to streamline data collection processes and enhance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms, ensuring a more efficient implementation of training initiatives in the future.

While ANADER staff formed the primary training group, the event also attracted participants from other key agricultural organizations. Representatives from the Compagnie Ivoirienne pour le Développement des Textiles (CIDT) – a 2024 Matching Fund partner – attended the training to prepare for their upcoming FBS Rice training initiatives. Additionally, two officials from the Agence pour le Développement de la Filière Riz (ADERIZ) participated as observers, reflecting the broad institutional interest in strengthening extension services in the rice sector.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the training, highlighting its practical relevance and immediate applicability.

"The training has provided us with valuable insights, and we are eager to apply our knowledge in the field,"

-       Soro Bakary, extension agent.

Similarly, Conan Isabelle noted the importance of being well-equipped with the latest techniques to better support local farmers.

By empowering extension agents with advanced training and digital tools, the FBS Rice Approach is set to enhance rice farming practices, improve productivity and contribute to economic growth in Côte d'Ivoire. As these trained professionals begin their fieldwork, they will play a crucial role in transforming subsistence farming into a thriving agribusiness sector.

This initiative underscores the importance of continuous capacity-building in the agricultural sector and sets a strong precedent for future collaborations aimed at driving sustainable development in Africa’s rice value chain.