Agricultural productivity in West Africa has been “limited” by poor linkage between farmers and markets, shortage of agricultural corporations as well as limited access to factors of production, a civil society source said on Monday.
In a statement issued in Abidjan, Borderless Alliance “equally deplored the numerous challenges facing farmers when they want to sell their farm produce, especially non-tariff barriers that prevent free movement of agricultural products, poor road infrastructure, high transport costs and lack of information on markets.”
“West Africa remains one of the poorest regions of the world despite the abundant natural and human resources, with the agriculture sector representing about 35 percent of the region’s GDP and employing about 60 percent of the active population,” the statement added.
Borderless Alliance which is an organization formed in 2011 by private sector stakeholders to increase trade across West Africa, is holding its annual conference in Abidjan between May 19 to 21, 2015.
Tens of professional organizations and private sector operators in the transport, trade and logistics, representatives of the regional economic communities from Africa, governments and West African regional partners will meet to discuss issues related to regional trade and food security.
“The conference will be an ideal platform for urging policy makers to adopt policies that will promote regional trade and food security,” the statement concluded. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
