First General Assembly of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) Focuses on Accelerating Rice Sector Growth

By Milcah Tanimu

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Rice Observatory is hosting its inaugural Annual General Meeting from May 21st to May 23rd, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event, themed “Aligning goals and charting a roadmap to accelerate the growth of a competitive rice sector in West Africa,” marks a significant step towards enhancing the region’s rice industry.

In his opening remarks, 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), applauded the robust participation of ECOWAS Member States and key partners. Notable attendees include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AfricaRice, the German Cooperation – GIZ, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and several others.

Commissioner Massandje TOURE-LITSE highlighted the challenges facing the rice sector in West Africa, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to overcome obstacles such as low productivity, limited market access, inadequate infrastructure, and susceptibility to climate change. She underscored the importance of aligning goals and devising a comprehensive strategy to accelerate sectoral growth.

In his address, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, Director of Agriculture, representing H.E. Mr. Abubakar KYARI, Federal Minister of Nigeria in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the establishment of the ERO by ECOWAS. He recognized the pivotal role of the ERO in fostering a competitive rice sector to meet local demand, improve livelihoods, and drive economic development in the region.

The creation of the ERO stems from the recognition that despite improvements in national rice production since the 2008 food crisis, it still falls short of meeting the region’s burgeoning demand. In response, ECOWAS adopted the ECOWAS Rice Offensive in 2015, aligning with the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) to revitalize rice farming sustainably.

The ERO, established in December 2021, serves as a collaborative platform to enhance rice production, distribution, and food security across West Africa. The General Assembly gathers diverse stakeholders from the rice value chain, including farmers’ organizations, processors, traders, research institutes, government agencies, development organizations, and financial institutions.

The General Assembly represents a crucial milestone in the collective efforts to bolster rice production and ensure food security in West Africa. Through collaboration and strategic initiatives, the ERO aims to drive transformative change and propel the region towards a more prosperous and sustainable future in rice agriculture.