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Rural Transformation & Sustainable Development

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The majority of the region’s poorest people live in rural areas and are heavily dependent on agriculture. The SWAC promote debates and actions aiming to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and the economic development of the region in general.

Background | Methodological Approach | Strategic Questions | Objectives | Activities & Results | Projects in 2007 | Contacts

 

   Background

Since the 1960s, agricultural and animal production has increased considerably in West Africa. However, this increase has remained slightly below the population growth rate. At the same time, the sector is facing a wide range of natural, climatic, socio-economic, political as well as technical constraints. Thus the agricultural and rural sectors continue to face several challenges, notably: i) satisfying the demand of a generally young, rapidly growing, ever more urban population within a context of a changing climate and opening-up of markets; ii) creating employment in particular for the younger generation; iii) contributing to reducing poverty in the rural environment.

 

   Methodological Approach

The SWAC's approach is based on an holistic and multidisciplinary perspective integrating at the same time economic, socio-cultural, political and monetary aspects. Within this methodology, the SWAC favours a consultative and participative approach while working in partnership with a wide range of local, regional and international actors. The approach combines field missions, workshops as well as drafting and disseminating documents aiming to support dynamics on the ground. Policy notes to decision-makers are produced to facilitate decision-making and action on issues related to the transformation of the rural environment and food security, in particular.

 

   Strategic Questions

The following strategic questions guide the SWAC's work:

  • What are the main characteristics of agricultural transformation underway in West Africa?
  • What are the agricultural, trade and monetary policies which hinder sustainable agricultural development and what are their impacts on regional development?
  • What are the relationships between agricultural transformation, natural resources, land and conflict dynamics? What regional approaches are needed?
  • What must be done at the regional level to set up a monitoring system and a medium- and long-term co-ordinated response mechanism for pest infestations such as the desert locusts and other natural threats affecting food security?

   Objectives

  • Support dynamics on the ground to promote sustainable food security and notably seek solutions to the structural causes of food insecurity in the region;
  • Contribute to the implementation of agricultural and trade policies aiming to reduce hunger and poverty, notably the ECOWAS regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP);
  • Contribute to policy debates at the regional and international levels with a view to strengthening the regional West African market;
  • Support and strengthen regional dynamics to promote sustainable management of natural resources (land, water, forestry and halieutic resources, etc.) and combating desertification;
  • Contribute to a better understanding of the rural transformation levers and to providing regional actors as well as technical and financial partners with decision-making and action tools in terms of policies and investment strategies in the agricultural and rural sectors.

   Activities & Results

Sustainable Food Security

Agricultural & Trade Policies

Rural Transformation

   Projects in 2008

   Contacts:

 
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