Strengthening agric prospects in west Africa

Boosting productivity, fostering competitiveness
and ensuring that small-scale farmers have
greater access to markets are key to West Africa
realizing its full agricultural potential, according to
a new study released today by FAO and the
International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD).
The publication: 'Rebuilding West Africa's Food
Potential', presents a range of successful case
studies since the region stepped up investments
in agricultural development in the wake of the
world food crisis in 2007-2008.
But the book argues that countries could benefit
significantly from policy support that targets
broader agricultural development and greater
coordination among producers, private industry
and the public and financial sectors.
"Although some West African countries in the
region are doing better than others, the region
has lagged behind other parts of Africa in terms
of basic infrastructure, investments, research and
development and agricultural processing," said
FAO Senior Economist Aziz Elbehri, who edited
the publication.
The book reasons that the region should direct
greater efforts to develop its staple food crops,
which in the past have been sidelined in favour of
a few export commodities.
Maize and cassava, two of the main pillars of
West Africa's food security, could form the
backbone for a thriving agro-industry given their
multiple market applications, the publication
suggests.
There is a huge production deficit in rice in the
region, which currently imports an unsustainable
70 percent of what it consumes.
And yields of sorghum and millet - critically
important for the food security of 100 million
people in the Sahel - could double or triple with
the help of improved seed varieties and fertilizer.
But providing farmers with the means to boost
the yields of staple food crops is not enough, the
book stresses.
"Farmers have little incentive to increase
production if they can't sell their crops because of
cheaper and easily accessible imports," said
Elbehri.
"Policy and market incentives are needed to
improve the competitiveness of locally grown
crops and increase their share in the consumer
market."