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Food security

Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) : 10 Years Serving Agricultural Development in West Africa and the Sahel

Officially launched on 27 September 2013 in Lomé (Togo), the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) has already spent ten (10) years in delivering on its mandate. To recall, RAAF mandate is to ensure technical implementation of regional programmes and investment plans that contribute to the operationalisation of the regional agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).

Over the past ten (10) years, RAAF has successfully coordinated and overseen the implementation of ECOWAP projects and programmes in compliance with its mandate. Many achievements are tangible as evidenced by the ever-growing number of projects and programmes in its portfolio. This shows the ever-renewed confidence and trust that the technical and financial partners place in the Agency.

Significant progress has been made, as indicated in the ten (10) year capitalisation report. Through strategic partnerships with Member States, technical institutions and development partners, RAAF has facilitated exchange and production of knowledge, resources and best practices, empowering stakeholders to address the multifaceted challenges in the agricultural sector. Areas of concern include human resource management, cumbersome and complex administrative processes, poor funding, and over-reliance on donors. Besides, appropriate resources are required to improve communication on the outcomes and impacts of the projects under RAAF coordination and authority.

In the context of the multiple shocks currently facing agriculture in the region, the role of RAAF is becoming more crucial in developing a more resilient agricultural sector capable of meeting future challenges.