Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire’s Central regions face rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, floods, and climate-driven pests that are putting pressure on the staple crops — rice, cassava, and yam — crops that underpin livelihoods and national food security.
A USD 50 million investment will help change that. The Enhancing Sustainable Land Management and Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems in Côte d’Ivoire project, known as LARACI (FP304), has received Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board approval. The project brings together the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, CGIAR, and FIRCA to deliver proven climate solutions at scale across the N’Zi, Moronou, Iffou, La Mé, and Gbêkê regions.
Over five years, LARACI will bring 110,600 hectares of land under improved low-emission and climate-resilient management. Working across climate information, extension services, and agroforestry, the project targets a reduction of more than 600,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, while directly supporting 147,000 smallholders with tools to manage climate risk, stabilize and increase yields, and boost incomes.
The climate solutions provided include optimizing cassava-legume intercropping, which increases productivity, helps maintain soil fertility, and reduces erosion. The extension of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) practices will improve water use efficiency and cut methane emissions. Climate-smart staking will improve the performance of the yam crop and increase above and below ground carbon capture. The project will benefit from technical expertise and solutions from IITA, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the Climate Action Science Program.
The project directly supports Côte d’Ivoire’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan and Nationally Determined Contributions, strengthening country ownership from design through to delivery and impact. It contributes to national priorities in food security, ecological transition, and climate change adaptation.