West African solutions for sustainable food systems
The Consortium for Research and Promotion of Family Farming in West Africa (Pafao), composed of CFSI, the Fondation de France, and Roppa, has released a collective work and podcast entitled "West African Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems." This collaborative work highlights the challenges and opportunities that characterize family farming in the region, while proposing concrete avenues for a more secure and sustainable food future.
West African family farmers are the custodians of the region's food security. Yet, despite rhetoric about food sovereignty, the agricultural and agrifood sector remains insufficiently supported by governments and faces multiple crises. Climate change is manifesting itself in extreme weather events, the security crisis is severely affecting rural populations in the Sahel, and dependence on imports exposes vulnerable households to price fluctuations, exacerbated by geopolitical events such as the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis.
In the face of these challenges, access to sufficient, healthy, and sustainable food for all is crucial. This publication analyzes the structural obstacles hindering the development of family farming in West Africa and proposes innovative solutions to reverse the trend. It highlights remunerative agroecological practices adapted to local specificities, as well as policy measures favorable to sustainable and equitable food systems.
Togolese economist Kako Nubukpo, sponsor of this work, emphasizes the importance of transforming the concept of consuming locally into a genuine business development program. The hundreds of organizations involved in the Pafao program call for the mobilization of public authorities and populations in favor of endogenous development, recognizing that the solutions to food challenges lie in West Africa.
This collective initiative demonstrates the commitment of regional stakeholders to promote sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems. By showcasing the knowledge and practices of family farmers, it offers tangible hope for a future where food security is guaranteed for all West African citizens.
THE EMISSARY
Source: https://www.coordinationsud.org/
