I am thrilled to share with you the latest update on the strengthened partnership between AGRA and ECOWAS, which is set to bring about a Rice Revolution for smallholder farmers in West Africa.
In a recent high-level engagement, AGRA and ECOWAS reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape in the region, with a special focus on empowering smallholder farmers and achieving rice self-sufficiency.
This renewed strategic partnership is a significant step towards creating real opportunities for millions of farmers. During the productive talks between AGRA and Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, key initiatives were discussed, including the upcoming ECOWAS Rice Observatory Roundtable, the Rice Development Finance Facility for West Africa, and the African Food Systems Forum.
These initiatives aim to drive investment, enhance policies, and promote innovations that will benefit smallholder farmers by boosting productivity, improving market access, and building resilience to climate challenges.
Dr. Sylla commended AGRA for its unwavering commitment to the region and emphasized the importance of collaboration and aligned policies in achieving genuine transformation. Natasha Kofoworola Quist, AGRA’s West Africa Regional Director, highlighted the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the need to move from subsistence to prosperity by providing farmers with the necessary tools, markets, and support.
The AGRA-ECOWAS alliance underscores a shared vision of placing smallholder farmers at the core of West Africa’s food systems transformation. By combining ECOWAS’s regional influence with AGRA’s technical expertise, both organizations aim to accelerate progress in rice value chains, benefiting millions of livelihoods in the region.
This partnership builds on national achievements in seed systems, gender-inclusive policies, and digital extension services, signaling a more coordinated and ambitious effort to reduce hunger, create wealth in rural communities, and empower smallholder farmers as key drivers of agricultural and economic growth.
The future looks promising with the renewed AGRA-ECOWAS alliance, offering fresh hope for West Africa’s smallholders. Through collaborative efforts and a farmer-focused approach, we are closer than ever to achieving a more abundant and prosperous harvest.
