MÉKRO, Côte d’Ivoire — In the heart of central Côte d’Ivoire, a quiet agricultural revolution is changing lives. The village of Mékro, once marked by low yields and chronic hardship, is now witnessing a remarkable transformation through the Project to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholders and Women (PREMOPEF), a government-led initiative backed by the African Development Bank and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).

For farmers like 30-year-old Koffi Kouakou Charles, known locally as “KKC,” this project has brought more than just improved harvests, it’s restored hope. “Before, I was just focused on surviving. Today, I can think about my children’s future,” says Koffi, who now grows high-yield, climate-resilient yam varieties and has doubled his production to four tonnes per harvest.

PREMOPEF, launched in 2023, focuses on yams, cassava, vegetables, and poultry farming. It aims to uplift 60,000 vulnerable people, with 50% being women and 35% youth, by promoting agroecological farming and resilience to climate shocks.

Koffi is one of many who have received hands-on training at “Farmer Training Fields,” learning modern techniques that have boosted yields and income. From his December 2024 harvest alone, he earned over 125,000 CFA francs (~USD 250), reinvesting part of it into seeds and dreaming of mechanizing his farm.

The impact goes beyond crops. After losing livestock to disease, Koffi now plans to relaunch his poultry venture with proper training and safety protocols, turning past losses into learning opportunities.

Project coordinator Ceserd Waba Akpaud calls PREMOPEF “a powerful tool for reducing household vulnerability,” while Philip Boahen of the African Development Bank emphasizes its role in placing “agriculture at the center of inclusive development.”

As the sun rises over Mékro, the village stands not only as a place of tradition but also a growing hub of innovation, resilience, and community-driven success.

^{Source: African Development Bank Group (AfDB)}