The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Rice Observatory is holding its first Annual General Meeting from May 21 to May 23, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event is themed “Aligning goals and charting a roadmap to accelerate the growth of a competitive rice sector in West Africa.”
In his opening speech, Mr. Alain SY Traoré, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development of ECOWAS and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO), representing Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture Mrs. Massandje TOURE-LITSE, commended the strong participation from ECOWAS Member States and partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AfricaRice, German Cooperation – GIZ, African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank, FCDO, AGRA, Japan through ICA/CARD Agency, World Bank and other strategic partners.
Commissioner Massandje TOURE-LITSE highlighted several challenges facing the rice sector such as low productivity, limited market access, ineffective coordination/harmonization of the sector, inadequate infrastructure and vulnerability to climate change. "To address these issues," she said, "it is necessary to bring together ERO partners who are stakeholders in the rice sector in West Africa, align goals and chart a roadmap to accelerate the growth of the sector." She emphasized improving policy frameworks, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing government interventions along with those from donors and development partners.
Delivering an opening address on behalf of H.E. Mr. Abubakar KYARI, Federal Minister of Nigeria in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar praised ECOWAS's initiative in establishing ERO. He stated that its aim is to create a competitive rice sector in West Africa to meet local demand while improving livelihoods and contributing to regional economic development.
The creation of this body by ECOWAS stems from the realization that although national rice production has improved since the 2008 food crisis it only meets 60% of regional demand. To address this gap ECOWAS adopted the Rice Offensive in 2015 as part of its Regional Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) aligned with the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). This strategy aims for a sustainable revival of rice farming across West Africa supporting national rice development strategies (NRDS).
Based on consultative workshops field research and recommendations from public-private partnerships across Member States an “ECOWAS Rice Observatory” was established in December 2021 jointly by ECOWAS Commission and its partners.
The ERO General Assembly marks a significant milestone toward improving rice production distribution and food security within West Africa bringing together key stakeholders including farmers’ organizations processors millers traders distributors agricultural input suppliers research institutes government agencies ministries development organizations NGOs financial institutions ERO national chapters members from Member States’ rice working groups.
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