AU SAFGRAD FACILITATED IN DOUALA (CAMAROON) A SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP ON PRIORITIZING AND VALIDATING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES VALUE CHAINS IN ECCAS REGION. 31 JULY – 1st AUGUST 2018.
AU-SAFGRAD has convened a regional validation workshop in ECCAS Region to provide actors and stakeholders the opportunity to consider and agree on selection criteria, analyze and select priority commodity value chains, based on agreed criteria, for regional endorsement.
The 2-day validation workshop was held from 31st July to 1st August 2018 at “Vallee des Princes Hotel”, in Douala, Cameroun. The meeting was facilitated by AU-SAFGRAD but ownership and advancement of outcome as a regional commitment rested with the ECCAS.
The opening ceremony was chaired by HE Cameroun Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Henri EYEBE AYISSI, with the presence of AU SAFGRAD Coordinator, Dr. Ahmed ELMEKASS, and ECCAS Head of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abakar Mohammed, as well as representatives of Douala local administrative authorities.
The workshop was attended by RECs and their Member States’ focal persons who are experts in agriculture, agribusiness, agro-industrial development, trade and investments. Also, Continental and regional organizations, development partners, experts and stakeholders in agricultural commodity value chains development as well as agricultural trade experts in Africa were expected to attend the validation workshop. More concretely, almost all the countries of ECCAS were represented by two experts, one in the area of Agriculture and one in Trade sector. In addition IGAD and UMA regions sent representatives to the workshop.
In his important opening remarks, HE Cameroon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that “The agricultural sector offers a viable pathway that African countries can leverage upon to escape from excruciating poverty and hunger, curb illegal migration, improved livelihoods and spur industrialization and economic development. The sector also offers huge opportunities in enhancing cooperation, collaboration and partnership among African countries.” The Minister concluded his remarks by declaring: “Enhancing the competiveness of agricultural commodities and products through regional value chains development will provide the needed impetus for Agribusiness growth and agro-industrial development in the Continent. It is expected that this will expand job and wealth creation as well as accelerate improved livelihood in the Continent.”
Prior to the Minister remarks, Dr. Ahmed ELMEKASS, AU SAFGRAD Coordinator, in his statements recalled that Africa Union through the Malabo 2014 commitments has defined the immediate future of African economies around agriculture as the main force in the social and economic transformation of the continent. “The development goals set in the Agenda 2063 and the SDG 2030 also recognizes the key role of agriculture in the transformation drive of African economies” added AU SAFGRAD head office.
The aim of the workshop was to validate regional selection criteria and prioritize agricultural commodities value chains for regional ownership and domestication.
More specifically, after two days intensive works, the meeting has reached important outcomes. Information on status and criteria use in the selection of MS prioritized value chain for the region was documented. Also the experts agreed and endorsed criteria for prioritizing ECCAS regional value chains. The regional priority commodities were documented and finally the workshop agreed strategic approach in constituting commodities committees.
Group Picture following the opening ceremony
HE Cameroun Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Henri EYEBE AYISSI chairing the Opening Ceremony , with the presence of AU SAFGRAD Coordinator, Dr. Ahmed ELMEKASS, and ECCAS Head of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abakar Mohammed, as well as representatives of Douala local administrative authorities.
AU SAFGRAD Coordinator, Dr. Ahmed ELMEKASS, pronouncing his statement at the Opening
ECCAS Head of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abakar Mohammed, welcoming the participants
Massive presence of the Media
Dr Mure Agbonlanor, AU SAFGRAD senior Officer, talking to the Media
A view of the participants during a session of the workshop
One of the banners of the event hanged at the main entrance of the workshop venue
