Under the initiative of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) Executive Secretariat, 30 rice stakeholders from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo participated in a Regional Peer-to-Peer Learning visit on Rice Irrigation and Mechanization Systems in Kano, Nigeria, from December 9 to 12, 2024.

These participants, representing ERO national chapters and the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) countries, enhanced their capacities in irrigation and mechanization systems, deepening their understanding of how these systems operate. The Learning visit facilitated exchanges between stakeholders, exposing them to various irrigation and mechanization practices designed to inspire beneficiaries and drive improvements in their respective countries.

Mechanization is pivotal to modernizing agriculture and boosting productivity. Nigeria’s experience in rice mechanization served as a valuable case study for stakeholders from Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. By exploring appropriate machinery, maintenance practices, and training programs, these countries can improve their mechanization efforts, reduce labor-intensive processes, and enhance overall efficiency in rice production.

During this experience sharing, participants observed that several companies in Nigeria are involved in the sale of agricultural equipment and machinery, spare parts, and the provision of after-sales services. Models of service provision on production sites include short-term equipment hire, direct sales, and on-site service delivery.

Regarding irrigation systems, participants noted the gravity-fed irrigation facilitated by the Tiga Dam, located in southern Kano State, northwest Nigeria. Built in 1974, the dam is a major reservoir on the Kano River, a key tributary of the Hadejia River. The dam and associated production sites are managed by a public entity in collaboration with producers, who contribute through a management and maintenance tax. Effective water management has been instrumental in the development of rice production in the region.

Upon returning to their respective countries, the participants plan to raise awareness among rice stakeholders in their growth centers and advocate for the adoption of similar management systems adapted to the unique realities of each rice-growing area.

Overall, the exchange visit was highly beneficial for both the visiting countries and the Nigerian hosts, who also gained valuable insights from the experiences of their counterparts.

For ECOWAS, this initiative underscored the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing, paving the way for collective efforts among West African countries to achieve rice self-sufficiency and bolster food security.