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Ivory Coast
The client is a French incorporated company led by a team of international experts with an extensive knowledge of Africa and, more precisely, Ivory Coast. However, the team was lacking the necessary high-end agronomic support and relevant realistic approaches to their project’s development aligned to the capacity of their available land and the activities of the planned cassava production scheme.
Design of large-scale mechanized cassava production for a starch factory
Location
Ivory Coast
Production
Cassava
Delivery
2017
Area
4 500 ha
Client
Satol
Sector
Private
Service(s)
Agri-feasibility study
The challenge
The client required a thorough assessment of the allocated land and a comprehensive feasibility study of the farming project to unlock initial FASEP and support the fund-raising process.
The result
Within the framework of this project, Expert Farmer has provided three elements of support including preliminary land appraisal, assessment of the project’s feasibility and client support to attract new investors and start the project with pioneer crops.
Brief of the project
Preliminary remote assessment
- Collection of site data and satellite remote-sensing for the given project area.
- Identification of high potential and risk zones,
- Spatial and topographic analysis and preliminary surface ratios,
- Analysis of available project data.
On-site assessment
- Analysis and ranking of the areas targeted for farm development,
- Assessment of the project’s environment for water and power supply availability, infrastructure and access towards/from the main economic centre of the area,
- Understanding of the land’s history and tenure,
- Rough social impact assessment, organization of meetings with the local villages’ representatives and potential out-growers,
- Identification and review of the main potential partners (national institutions, cassava specialists),
- Validation of the main technical assumptions needed for the project’s development,
- Recommendations on all main strategies for the project’s development,
- Collection of economic data,
- High resolution drone mapping of the entire farmland.
Reporting
- Final estimate of the total cultivable area based on natural conditions,
- Required products’ shortlist adapted to the site’s parameters,
- Project feasibility and area cultivated with initial investment, operational efficiency, durability, consumption of resources,
- Logistical organisation for a smooth supply to the starch factory located next to the fields,
- Sustainability of the project and integration into its environment,
- Macro-environment report and scoring matrix,
- Comprehensive economic and financial analysis of the project,
- Project development strategy and project phasing.
Expert Farmer supported the District of Denguélé and SIRIZ [fr] in Ivory Coast through a comprehensive feasibility and planning mission for the development of 5 000 ha of rice, maize, and soybean production. The project aimed to supply an existing rice processing facility and expand into complementary crops.
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Integrated soybean and rice mechanization and agricultural development plan
Location
Ivory Coast
Production
Rice
Corn
Soybean
Delivery
2022
Area
5 000 ha
Client
BNETD
Sector
Public
Service(s)
Agri-feasibility study
The challenge
Project's location shows limited perennial water resources, heterogeneous farmer organization and technical capacity, difficult access to plots, and the need for tailored irrigation and mechanization strategies across diverse agro-ecological zones.
The result
The study enabled the client to refine its development strategy by identifying high-potential zones, optimizing irrigation and mechanization models, and aligning production planning with local agro-socioeconomic conditions, thereby enhancing project feasibility and investment readiness.
Brief of the project
Site identification and agro-environmental diagnostics
Expert Farmer has conducted extensive field missions across 12 localities in the Denguélé District to assess 5 000 ha of potential agricultural land. The team has evaluated soil quality, topography, climate, water resources, local flora (picture above), and energy access. They identified 3 520 ha of plains suitable for rice and soybean and 3 850 ha of plateaux for maize, with detailed mapping and scoring of each site’s development potential.
Socioeconomic and organizational assessment
The mission included a thorough analysis of local agricultural practices, land tenure systems, and farmer organization levels. Expert Farmer categorized producers into cooperative, group, and individual profiles, whilst also assessing their mechanization levels. These informed recommendations for cooperative development and tailored support strategies aim to enhance farmer engagement and productivity.
Irrigation and energy strategy development
Given the seasonal nature of water availability, Expert Farmer evaluated multiple irrigation models, recommending the construction of water reservoirs as the most viable solution for dry-season production. We also assessed energy access, proposing a hybrid system combining national grid and solar power to ensure cost-effective irrigation infrastructure.
Pilot phase design and infrastructure planning
Expert Farmer designed an irrigated 250 ha pilot project. We provided technical specifications for irrigation, mechanization, and energy infrastructure, including the establishment of a mechanization center and base camp. The pilot aimed to validate the production model before scaling.
Strategic recommendations and project structuring
The team delivered a comprehensive diagnostic report that informed the next phases: production planning, preliminary engineering studies, and business plan updates. Their work provided a strategic roadmap for phased development, risk mitigation, and investment mobilization, aligning technical feasibility with local realities and institutional goals.