Rice Millers in Côte d’Ivoire Strengthen Skills Through RMBT Training

From 10th to 12th February 2025, the GIZ/MOVE Project organized the first Rice Miller Business Training (RMBT) course in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together rice millers and industry actors to strengthen their business and sourcing capacities within the rice sector.

Held at Hotel AHO, the training formed part of preparations to roll out the RMBT approach in Côte d’Ivoire. Ahead of the rollout, MOVE selected ten rice mills that will be supported by a pool of trained facilitators who will further disseminate the approach to mill staff and managers.

The training focused on helping rice millers better understand the key business drivers that influence success within the rice market. Participants explored practical strategies for increasing rice paddy sourcing, improving supply predictability, and strengthening relationships with farmers through profitable farmer service models.

A total of 21 participants attended the session, including 18 participants, one trainer, and two MOVE staff members. The group included five women and five young participants, reflecting efforts toward inclusion and youth participation within the sector.

Using an interactive and participatory learning approach, the training combined presentations, collaborative exercises, and group discussions tailored to adult learning needs. The sessions also considered different learning styles and gender responsiveness to ensure broad participation and engagement.

One of the major discussion areas during the training was the contract farming model as a tool for improving paddy supply predictability. While some rice millers expressed concerns due to previous experiences with unfulfilled contracts, facilitators guided participants through the critical conditions and indicators required to implement the model successfully and achieve positive outcomes.

Participants also engaged in brainstorming sessions and practical exercises where they shared their visions for improving their rice mills and identifying growth opportunities within the sector.

Feedback from participants was highly positive, with many appreciating both the quality of the content and the facilitation methods used throughout the training. Jessica Seka, Deputy CEO and Marketing Director at GRS, noted that she would have appreciated a longer training duration to allow for more in depth practical sessions and discussions.

The training was fully funded by the GIZ/MOVE Project, reaffirming MOVE’s commitment to supporting sustainable growth and capacity development within the rice sector in West Africa