By Chidi Ugwu
The future of rice farming in West Africa is currently taking shape, not in vast industrial fields, but in the hands of countless smallholder farmers who are increasingly recognized as the key to the sector’s growth and sustainability, experts have said.
This powerful message reverberated through the halls of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024, where the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) unveiled its ambitious Rice Offensive Regional Action Plan 2024-2025
This initiative aims to transform the entire rice value chain, providing these farmers with
the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.
At the heart of this transformation is a focus on empowering smallholder farmers.
Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry at the African Development Bank (AfDB), stressed the critical need to provide these farmers with access to land and affordable machinery.
He drew inspiration from Nigeria’s success story, where providing farmers with leased tractors and affordable irrigation services has led to remarkable increases in rice production. “Extending these resources across the region could unlock similar potential,” Dr. Fregene emphasized.
The forum also explored innovative financial solutions
Mr. Fumihiko Suzuki, Director of Economic Development at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA-Nigeria), highlighted the importance of input financing and access to quality infrastructure, such as milling machines.
These elements are crucial for boosting productivity and ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their crops. While acknowledging the challenges, Mr. Fumihiko remained optimistic, stating, “JICA supports 20 rice projects where insurance is vital. We are gradually introducing subsidies for key commodities, even though agricultural insurance funding remains limited.”
Ms. Sanne Steemers, President of AFEX, further underscored the need for financial backing.
She shared how AFEX is empowering smallholder farmers by offering timely working capital and ensuring they receive the commodities they need precisely when they need them.
The ECOWAS Rice Offensive Regional Action Plan 2024-2025 is not merely a policy document; it’s a visionary blueprint for a more sustainable and prosperous rice sector in West Africa. By placing smallholder farmers at the center, this plan aims to achieve food security and economic growth throughout the region.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 marked a pivotal moment in this journey, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for West Africa’s rice farmers and the communities they support.
