The Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Financial and Financial Union (UEMOA), and the Everlasting Inter-State Committee for Drought Management within the Sahel (CILSS), in collaboration with CORAF, organized the ninth abnormal assembly of the Regional Committee for Seeds and Vegetation of West Africa and the Sahel (CRSPAOS) from 18th to twentieth September 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
This annual gathering introduced collectively representatives from ECOWAS and Sahel member states, regional and sub-regional seed establishments, technical and monetary companions, in addition to farmer organizations. The aim was to evaluate the progress made in implementing the harmonized regional seed regulation, adopted by ECOWAS in 2008.
The primary goal of this assembly was to assessment the implementation of the suggestions from the eighth session, held in Bissau in 2023, consider the state of utility of the harmonized regional seed regulation throughout the ECOWAS-CILSS area, and assess the progress made within the institution of the Regional Fertilizer Committees (COACE) and the Pesticides Registration Committees (COAHP).
“The profitable implementation of the regional seed regulation goes hand in hand with strengthening the seed sector inside every Member State. We should considerably improve the capacities of all actors within the nationwide seed worth chain, enabling them to totally profit from the harmonization of seed laws,” said Professor Pascal Ok. T. ANGUI, Director-Common of Manufacturing and Meals Safety, representing Mr. Kobenan Kouassi ADJOUMANI, Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Growth, and Meals Manufacturing of Côte d’Ivoire.
To totally obtain this goal, states should prioritize the implementation of the seed regulation. “The ECOWAS Fee acknowledges the very important function of high quality seeds in enhancing agricultural productiveness to satisfy the objectives of the widespread agricultural coverage (ECOWAP) and the Complete Africa Agriculture Growth Programme (CAADP). The Harmonized Regional Seed Regulation goals, amongst different issues, to create favorable situations for the emergence of a robust seed trade, able to making certain common, well timed, and ample provide of high quality seeds within the sub-region,” affirmed Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Financial Affairs and Agriculture.
The efficient harmonization of seed laws within the ECOWAS-UEMOA-CILSS space ought to finally enable for the free motion of licensed seeds, thereby contributing to enhancing
agricultural productiveness and attaining meals self-sufficiency in West Africa and the Sahel. CORAF, mandated by ECOWAS, UEMOA, and CILSS to implement and supply the technical secretariat for CRSPAOS, will proceed to play a central function in coordinating and facilitating these dialogue platforms, with the technical and monetary help of its companions, to make sure the efficient implementation of harmonized seed laws.
“The Regional Committee for Seeds and Vegetation of West Africa and the Sahel stays a key instrument for enhancing agricultural improvement in West Africa and the Sahel, because it permits the implementation of regionally agreed methods, contributing to the emergence of a robust regional seed trade,” stated Dr. Moumini SAVADOGO, Govt Director of CORAF.
Because it assesses the progress made throughout the earlier session held in Bissau in 2023, this ninth version will function a platform for discussions on the accreditation of seed methods to OECD requirements and the institution of committees for fertilizer management and pesticide registration.
On the sidelines of the assembly, the Regional Preparedness and Response Plan for Pest and Illness Outbreaks in West and Central Africa was formally launched.
The ceremony was chaired by Professor Pascal Ok. T. ANGUI, Director-Common of Manufacturing and Meals Safety of Côte d’Ivoire, representing the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Growth, and Meals Manufacturing of Côte d’Ivoire. It additionally noticed the participation of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Financial Affairs and Agriculture, UEMOA officers, CILSS representatives, and technical and monetary companions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS).