This is a decisive step forward for the rural world. Faced with the precariousness and climate shocks that weigh on producers, the Ivorian government has officially extended Universal Health Coverage (CMU) to planters in the country's key sectors.

A commitment made on the international stage

The announcement was made by Adama Kamara , Minister of Employment and Social Protection, this Friday, April 16, 2026, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, during the 34th FAO Regional Conference. Accompanied by his counterpart from the Ministry of Agriculture, Bruno Nabagné Koné , the minister advocated for social protection to become the foundation of any high-performing agri-food system.

"A system can only be effective if the women and men who wear it are themselves safe," stressed Mr. Adama Kamara.

The key measures of this reform

The extension of social protection is structured around two strategic axes to cover the entire agricultural sector:

1. Cash crop sectors (coffee-cocoa, cotton-cashew, rubber-oil palm): Universal Health Coverage (CMU) is now a reality for these farmers. Crucially, the payment of contributions will be directly covered by the respective Stabilization Funds , thus providing financial relief to producers.
2. Other crops and the informal sector: For farmers outside of cash crop sectors, the government has deployed the Social Protection Investment Program (PIPS) . Launched in December 2025, this program has a massive budget of 187.4 billion FCFA .

President Alassane Ouattara's vision

This initiative is part of the profound reform of the social protection system desired by the Head of State. By combining Universal Health Coverage ( CMU) and the Social Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RSTI) , Côte d'Ivoire intends to transform its agricultural stakeholders into truly resilient pillars of the national economy.

For Minister Kamara, investing in farmers' health is not a simple expense, but a strategic investment to guarantee sustainable food security and inclusive development across the African continent.