Agricultural Mechanization Project: Driving Modern Farming and Food Security

Bangui, October 24, 2025 – Fields across rural areas of the Central African Republic are set for major transformation. With the launch of the ambitious Agricultural Mechanization Support Project, the government is taking a decisive step toward modernizing agriculture, strengthening food security, and turning farming into a true engine of national development.

At the heart of this bold initiative — backed by an investment of USD 164 million under the National Development Plan — lies one clear mission: to replace manual tools with machines, to boost production, and to empower rural communities with the means to cultivate prosperity.

Project Overview

The large-scale project will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR). Construction is set to begin in 2028 and will continue through 2030, supported by public funding and concessional loans.

At its core, the project will establish six Regional Centers operated by the National Office for Agricultural Mechanization (ONMAP). These centers will serve as local hubs for agricultural equipment, training, and technical assistance, directly supporting farmers and cooperatives throughout the country.

Objectives

The primary goal of the Mechanization Support Program is to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and to transform traditional subsistence farming into a productive, market-oriented sector.

Specifically, the project seeks to support the government’s objective of achieving 6% annual growth in the agricultural sector, while ensuring long-term food sovereignty for the country. Through mechanization and capacity-building, it aims to expand the CAR’s cultivated surface area, enabling farmers to cultivate over 567,000 hectares of land each year with modern motorized equipment.

The program will also promote the development of a national network of trained agricultural operators capable of maintaining and using mechanized tools efficiently — a key step toward sustainable productivity and professionalized farming.

Expected Results

Once fully operational, the Mechanization Support Project will deliver transformative outcomes:

• The construction and equipping of six ONMAP Regional Centers to coordinate nationwide mechanization efforts.

• Deployment of tractors and mechanized equipment for land clearing and soil preparation, reducing farmers’ dependence on manual labor.

• The mechanized cultivation of over 567,000 hectares, resulting in a 5% annual increase in the cultivated area among beneficiary farms.

• Training programs for members and leaders of agricultural producers’ organizations (OPAs) to ensure collective and efficient use of the machinery provided.

Major Benefits

The impact of the project extends well beyond agricultural yields. By equipping rural communities with modern tools, it will strengthen their economic resilience, allowing households to better access markets and production resources. The mechanization of agriculture will drastically improve productivity, liberating farmers from strenuous manual labor and aligning local practices with modern, sustainable farming methods.

Furthermore, the initiative will enable local producers to fully harness the country’s natural potentials — including 15 million hectares of arable land and abundant rainfall.

Strategic Outlook

The Mechanization Support Project is not only an agricultural reform — it is a cornerstone for national development. By coupling modern technology with local know-how, the initiative aims to create a new generation of professional farmers, stimulate rural employment, and reinforce food security across the country.