Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, recently played host to the 2nd edition of the Journées du caoutchouc naturel de Côte d'Ivoire (JCN-CI), a significant event aimed at advancing the country's natural rubber industry. The event, held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, brought together industry stakeholders, international organization representatives, and researchers. The conference centered on the theme "APROMAC: 50 Years of Success in Serving a Prosperous Natural Rubber Industry." This gathering marked a crucial milestone in discussions on Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber sector, which faces new challenges.
The event was marked by a series of discussions and presentations on key aspects of the natural rubber industry. The inaugural conference, titled "Genesis and Creation of APROMAC," was delivered by Dominique Mapri Kpolo, the first Secretary-General of the organization. This presentation provided a historical overview of the natural rubber industry and the establishment of the Association des professionnels du caoutchouc naturel de Côte d'Ivoire (APROMAC) as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Subsequent presentations focused on the Association des pays producteurs de caoutchouc naturel (ANRPC) and its contributions to sustainable industry development in member countries.
Further discussions centered on the institutional evolution, programs, and scientific advancements of the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB). Dr. Wan Abdul Raham, the IRRDB's Deputy Secretary-General, presented these developments. A panel discussion on "Côte d'Ivoire's Natural Rubber Industry: From Supply Chain Challenges to Value Addition" followed, moderated by Dr. Louise Modeste Akanvou, Director of Research at the Centre national de recherche agronomique (CNRA). Industry stakeholders participated in this critical examination of supply and demand dynamics within Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber sector.
Lamine Sanogo, President of the Association des usiniers producteurs de caoutchouc naturel de Côte d'Ivoire (AUPCN), highlighted the rapid expansion of production capacity since 2016. This growth has led to an increased reliance on a stable supply of raw materials. Sanogo emphasized the need for enhanced agricultural production, improved exploitation conditions for factories, and a gradual shift towards second-stage processing. Sahifo Gbo, Administrator of the Programme d'urgence de renouvellement et d'extension du verger hévéicole (PURE), outlined the program's objectives, which include renewing and extending plantations over 500,000 hectares by 2035.
The PURE program aims to replace aging plantations and expand cultivation in areas beyond the seventh parallel. This initiative seeks to address supply chain challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber industry. Edmond Coulibaly, representing the Conseil hévéa-palmier à huile-coco (CHPC), stressed the importance of securing remunerative prices for producers, balancing agricultural production with industrial capacity, and promoting value addition through by-product utilization and second-stage processing.
The role of research in developing new, climate-resilient clones and innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and drones for plantation health monitoring, was also emphasized. Michel Amani Kouakou, representing the CNRA, discussed potential applications of these technologies in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber sector. The use of artificial intelligence, drones, and transformation of rubber seeds into biodiesel, oil, and soap were presented as key areas for future development.
Participants at the JCN-CI event concluded that better coordination of agricultural investments, industrial capacities, and research efforts is crucial for consolidating the competitiveness and sustainability of Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber industry. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, share knowledge, and explore solutions to the challenges facing the sector. Key outcomes from the discussions are expected to inform policy decisions and drive growth in the industry.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's natural rubber industry faces challenges related to supply chain stability and sustainability.
- The 2nd edition of JCN-CI brought together industry stakeholders to discuss solutions to these challenges.
- The event highlighted the need for better coordination of investments, industrial capacities, and research efforts to drive growth and sustainability in the sector.
