Today Apoiemi

As the sun peaks over the horizon, Nadine Aka is breathing hard and sweating profusely. She has just climbed the last slope of the five-kilometer road that separates Hakasava Field from her village of Grand Morye. This morning, she came to clean her two hectare cassava field. Aged 45, she has been producing Ateke for 22 years.

As the sun peaks over the horizon, Nadine Aka is breathing hard and sweating profusely. She has just climbed the last slope of the five-kilometer road that separates Hakasava Field from her village of Grand Morye. This morning, she came to clean her two hectare cassava field. Aged 45, she has been producing Ateke for 22 years.

The authorities estimate that Atike production employs between 100,000 and 200,000 women in Kodivwa, an activity that is not without its difficulties.

The authorities estimate that Atike production employs between 100,000 and 200,000 women in Kodivwa, an activity that is not without its difficulties.

Now a widow, she heads an association of around 100 women. Grand Morie, their village in the southeastern part of the country, has benefited from a modern ATK processing plant inaugurated in December 2023, but the local women producers have almost all deserted it due to the distance from the village.

Now a widow, she heads an association of around 100 women. Grand Morie, their village in the southeastern part of the country, has benefited from a modern ATK processing plant inaugurated in December 2023, but the local women producers have almost all deserted it due to the distance from the village.

Sylvie Kwadio, who coordinates several women's associations in the region, believes this is also a communication problem.

Sylvie Kwadio, who coordinates several women's associations in the region, believes this is also a communication problem.

It also raises the issue of the product marketing, with retailers often disappearing with merchandise without paying back. The Ivorian government claims to be implementing strategies to solve this problem, but also to counter competition such as that from China, the world's leading producer of Ateke.

It also raises the issue of the product marketing, with retailers often disappearing with merchandise without paying back. The Ivorian government claims to be implementing strategies to solve this problem, but also to counter competition such as that from China, the world's leading producer of Ateke.

Cote d'Ivoire produces 8.25 million tons of cassava, half of which becomes a TAK, a vital part of the nation's economy. But behind the statistics lies a struggle. While the government dismisses concerns about Chinese competition, the women who are at the heart of the industry face a daily grind.

Cote d'Ivoire produces 8.25 million tons of cassava, half of which becomes a TAK, a vital part of the nation's economy. But behind the statistics lies a struggle. While the government dismisses concerns about Chinese competition, the women who are at the heart of the industry face a daily grind.

So while Hatiki holds a place of honor in Ivorian culture and the national economy, its future and the future of the women who make it hang in the balance.

So while Hatiki holds a place of honor in Ivorian culture and the national economy, its future and the future of the women who make it hang in the balance.