Launch and Vision
Strategic Plan Initiation: Launched in 2015, the ECOWAS Rice Offensive originated with a bold ten-year strategic plan approved by the Council of Ministers in 2014. It underscores a commitment to revitalizing rice farming in the region perpetually, positioning West African nations to not only achieve self-sufficiency but to elevate them as rice exporters by the year 2025.
Objectives Aligned with ECOWAP
Supporting National Strategies: The Offensive closely aligns with the National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS) of member states and substantiates the Economic Community of West African States Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) by focusing on:
Facilitation of Export Capabilities: Bolstering member states' abilities to produce a rice surplus for trade beyond their borders.
Enhancing Food Security: Addressing the critical needs for both food supply stability and nutritional adequacy in the region.
Promoting Self-Sufficiency: Reaching a state where imports are minimized and local production meets the domestic rice demand.
Through sustained efforts and strategic direction, the ECOWAS Rice Offensive aspires to transform the agricultural landscape of West Africa, driving the region closer to food sovereignty and enhanced economic vigor