A five-day workshop aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and coordination across West Africa has been organized by the AGRHYMET Regional Centre, in partnership with various stakeholders and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the training focused on the SARRA-H&O model and involved experts from five English-speaking countries: Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
The AGRHYMET Regional Centre, established in 1974 as part of the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), is dedicated to strengthening food security and increasing agricultural output in the Sahel region. The center provides essential training and information to stakeholders and development partners, contributing to improved natural resource management.
Marshall Trawere, representing AGRHYMET, highlighted that this workshop is the fourth annual capacity-building initiative aimed at enhancing the monitoring of agricultural campaigns. He stressed the ongoing challenges faced by Sahelian countries, including environmental degradation and resource depletion, which have led to food insecurity.
“The SARRA-H&O model, a leading tool for crop yield estimation, has been developed jointly by CIRAD and AGRHYMET over several decades,” Trawere explained. “This model supports countries in monitoring agricultural campaigns through agronomic and hydrological monitoring, early warning systems, and pastoral monitoring.”
Mr. Amu Anthony from Nigeria’s Department of National Programme on Food Security emphasized the importance of modern tools and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure national food security. Dr. James Adamu, representing the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Charles Anosike, underscored the significance of the workshop and encouraged participants to utilize the skills acquired to improve food security in their respective countries.
Participants expressed appreciation for the training and committed to applying the knowledge gained to enhance food production and security across the region. The workshop reflects a concerted effort to improve agricultural practices and ensure food sovereignty in West Africa.
