The Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted a regional strategy for livestock development across the region. This milestone was achieved at a hybrid ministerial conference attended by 15 ministers of agriculture from ECOWAS member states.
The conference was graced by ministers from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin Republic, Chad, and Mauritania.
In his address, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chairman of ECOWAS, emphasised the importance of livestock systems in strengthening resilience in ECOWAS communities. Represented by Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, Tinubu highlighted the strategy’s significance in driving the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) and promoting market integration and production systems.
According to the chairman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to developing Nigeria’s livestock farming system by establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development. This move aligns with the president’s vision for agricultural growth and economic development.
The chairman emphasised that the livestock development strategy is a crucial pillar of agricultural development, with three key benefits: reducing livestock imports, creating job opportunities, and minimising conflicts in the region. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of including women and youth in the strategy to promote inclusivity and ensure that key stakeholders are integral to the agenda.
Alain SY TRAORE, Director of Agricultural and Rural Development at ECOWAS, presented a summary of the regional strategy for developing livestock farming and securing pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel. He highlighted the need for collaboration among ECOWAS member states to achieve the goals of the strategy.
He said the main objective of the strategy is to improve productivity and secure sustainable livestock systems to meet the growth in animal protein needs and strengthen the resilience of populations in West Africa and the Sahel.
Alain said the orientations of the strategy will aim at four areas of intervention: enhancing the economic potential, improving governance, promoting health, and developing an environment favourable to public and private investments in livestock.
He informed me that the operationalization of the strategy will include engaging political leaders, multi-stakeholder consultations, and technical execution.
The Director informed us that earlier, the member states had identified the challenges in the region to include capacity to respond to the growth in demand for animal proteins owing to the demography of the region as well as the increasing population of its members, insecurity, farmer/herder clashes, among others.