Agriculture Experts Meet to Explore Regional Value Chains

7 November 2016
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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa)

Addis Ababa — The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has reiterated that capacity building of Africa policy makers in development issues can make a difference in the way Africa's transformation agenda is handled. During a three-day workshop held on the theme: "Strengthening capacities of policymakers and other key stakeholders to develop competitive regional agricultural value chains in Africa", participants were reminded of the need to revamp Africa's agricultural development strategy.

The meeting attracted experts from 16 countries renowned in the area of agricultural commodities regional value chains.

Ms Laura Paez emphasized that for Africa, agricultural commodities value chains need to focus on three pillars: economy of scale, economy of complementarity and economy of vertical integration. Ms. Paez spoke on behalf of the Acting head of the Regional Integration and Trade Division.

Mr. Adama Coulibaly of the Food Security, Agricultural and Land section ( FSALS) informed participants that ECA undertook a regional baseline study in 15 countries to identify priority value chains and agro-industrial growth clusters, along with identifying the capacity gaps in terms of designing, implementing and policy making in the area of regional value chains.

"The training and capacity development will help to stimulate intra-African trade and investment opportunities that can add significant value, create jobs and save natural resource" said Mr. Coulibaly.

Speaking during their interactive presentation, Mr Nassirou Ba and Guy Ravainomanana focused on the potential benefits of regionalization of rice and livestock value chains in the Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, SADC, ECCAS and COMESA) and also provided insights on integrating agricultural policy measures related to the promotion and development of agricultural value chains. Key to the presentation by the two experts was the need to look into enhancing collaboration and partnerships between the public and private sectors on the promotion of regional agricultural value chains and agro-industrial clusters.

Read the original article on UNECA.

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