Ivory Coast: women tap into financial freedom through rubber tree farms
## Overview of Land Ownership in Ivory Coast
Overview of Land Ownership in Ivory Coast
In Ivory Coast, only five percent of women own agricultural land. Recent initiatives are contributing to changes in this landscape by enabling more women to own and operate their farms, specifically in rubber tree cultivation.
Affoua Mea, an Ivorian farmer, has transitioned from working on a family plantation to owning her own piece of land. This shift was facilitated by a program aimed at reducing the gender gap in agricultural land ownership. Mea expressed her sense of independence and control over her finances, highlighting a significant shift in her personal and professional life.
The Association of Natural Rubber Professionals of Ivory Coast (APROMAC) plays a crucial role by offering subsidies that can cover up to 80 percent of the cost of rubber trees, thus enabling more women to purchase land and plants. This initiative has allowed women like Mea to gain financial independence and make autonomous decisions regarding their land inheritance.
Recent initiatives are contributing to changes in this landscape by enabling more women to own and operate their farms, specifically in rubber tree cultivation.
Since the introduction of the subsidy scheme in 2009, approximately 2,500 women have benefited from purchasing rubber plants at reduced costs. The demand for these subsidies has increased in the past five years, coinciding with the introduction of subsidies exclusively for women. The scheme is funded by monthly contributions from rubber producers.
Despite these advancements, women still face cultural obstacles in land ownership, such as traditional restrictions on inheriting land. APROMAC member Jacqueline N'Guessan works to negotiate land access for women, collaborating with local leaders and family members. In cases where negotiations are unsuccessful, alternative solutions such as long-term land use contracts are explored.
The efforts to increase women's land ownership in Ivory Coast's rubber sector are contributing to greater financial freedom and self-esteem among women. These initiatives are slowly reshaping the agricultural landscape, offering more equitable opportunities for women in the workforce.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
