Robots attract young farmers in Cote d'Ivoire

A robotics competition is taking place in Cote d'Ivoire's former capital, Abidjan. The event is designed to draw young people back into farming.

The government's hoping that technology, robotics and AI will attract young people to agriculture. It could also greatly improve levels of crop production.

Agriculture's essential for the Cote d'Ivoire's economy, and 40 percent of the world's cocoa production originates from there. However, while three quarters of Ivorians are under 35, most have left the trade. Farming is thought to be both challenging and poorly paid. Pele Ouattara explains why he's at the competition.

Pele Ouattara: "I come from a family of farmers. My passion for robotics has actually added to my desire to improve the conditions in which my parents used to farm."

It's money that's most likely to limit the use of robots, drones and digital solutions. A small drone for spraying fields with pesticides can cost more than U$16,000, equal to six months' earnings for a small-scale agricultural business.

Nowadays, firms exist which can rent out equipment when it's required. This man, who's farmed for most of his life, was amazed at the time it saved.

Faustin Zongo: "Usually, it takes at least two days to cover one hectare. So with the drone, I see that we have sprayed 5 hectares. I don't know how long it took, but it was no more than two hours."

A centre for producing agricultural technology is being planned by the government. It should bring down the costs of special equipment. And private companies are now employing AI to let farmers have more control over the crops which they grow.

Slowly but surely, it seems that young people are returning to the land.

Nozene Ble Binate: "There are more and more young people returning to the land and who are interested - who come to us to use, to request the drone for their fields because they've realised that the real treasure lies in the land." View Less