Harnessing agricultural potential for growth and development in West Africa

Abstract

This report on Harnessing the Agricultural Potential in West Africa for Growth and Development was the thematic part of the regular parliamentary document on Economic and Social Conditions in West Africa presented to the 15th Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE) for West Africa. This report specifically focuses on the crop sector and aims to (i) provide member States with a status of the agricultural sector in West Africa (ii) highlight the untapped potential role of the sector in socio-economic development; and (iii) provide policy advice on enhancing productivity in the sector to address poverty, unemployment and under development. The report recommends a structural transformation of the sector to increase productivity and ensure that West Africa exploits the sector to address poverty. Higher multiplier effects and the stronger impact on poverty alleviation can be realized through an efficient agricultural sector through transformation.