The agricultural community of Ivory Coast gathered in Grand-Bassam on August 2, 2025, to celebrate the seventh edition of AS de la Palme, an event dedicated to recognising key figures in the palm oil industry.
The ceremony, held 40 kilometres southeast of Abidjan, highlighted the ongoing transformation of the sector with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and traceability.
The event was attended by Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of State and Minister of Agriculture, Sustainable Development and Food Crops, alongside Félix Anoblé, Chairman of the Rubber, Palm Oil and Coconut Council.
Organised annually by Palmci, a subsidiary of the Ivorian agri-food giant SIFCA, AS de la Palme serves as a crucial platform to promote excellence and innovation within the sector.
On behalf of President Alassane Ouattara, Minister Adjoumani elevated several personalities to high honours within the Order of Agricultural Merit.
Henriette Gomis Billon, Communications and Development Director of SIFCA and Secretary General of the group’s foundation, was named Commander of the Order of Agricultural Merit. Notably, she is married to Jean-Louis Billon, an influential opposition politician and presidential candidate for the October 25, 2025, elections.
Aly Touré, Ivory Coast’s permanent representative to international commodity organisations, also received the distinction of Commander.
Other honourees included the Prefect of Grand-Bassam, Sidibé Nassou, who was exceptionally promoted to Commander, along with several officials awarded Officer or Knight ranks within the Order of Agricultural Merit.
The 2025 edition centred on the theme: “The challenges of digitalisation facing traceability in agricultural value chains: the case of the palm oil sector.”
Minister Adjoumani stressed the urgent need for the industry to modernise and embrace innovation and transparency to meet sustainability standards.
“Digital tools are not meant to intimidate but to empower,” he said. “Planters must adopt these technologies, which are essential for the future of agriculture.”
On a global scale, the upcoming EU regulation banning products linked to deforestation—including palm oil—underscores the necessity of traceability and sustainable practices.
The event also awarded the Touré Ibrahim Plantation of Irobo as the winner of the 2025 AS de la Palme competition, recognising outstanding performance and adherence to good agricultural practices.
Lacina Coulibaly, general manager of Palmci, noted that 60% of the company’s annual 350,000 tonnes of palm oil production comes from over 28,000 planters, highlighting the sector’s wide community reach.
Christophe Koreki, speaking on behalf of the group’s leadership, reflected: “Since its inception, Planter’s Day has celebrated the excellence, loyalty, and commitment of planters,” adding that the event is a vital forum for collaboration and sector advancement.
This seventh edition of AS de la Palme marks a collective commitment to a more competitive, traceable, and resilient palm oil sector that strengthens both local planters and Ivory Coast’s national economy.
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