The Ukrainian crisis and COVID-19 are pushing food prices to soar in the ECOWAS region

The Commissioner of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in charge of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Sékou Sangaré, presented to the plenary of the ECOWAS Parliament, on Friday 10 June 2022, in Abuja, the various initiatives implemented by ECOWAS in the areas he is responsible.

His presentation focused on governance, monitoring and evaluation, policy coordination in agriculture, environment and water resources, resilience of food systems and pesticide management, among others.

The presentation also covered the areas of fisheries, livestock production and adaptation to climate change.

In his presentation, Commissioner Sangaré stressed that “the ECOWAS Commission works daily in the coordination, steering and governance of sectoral policies for the implementation of the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).

Despite efforts made by ECOWAS, the food situation remains a major challenge for all the States of the community space, Mr. Sangaré noted.

According to Sékou Sangaré, the conflict in Ukraine and the repercussions of the COVID-19 have aggravated an already difficult food situation, leading to a surge in the price of essential products in the community.

To address this difficult food and nutrition situation, which is expected during the 2022 lean season, “several measures have been taken, including tax exemptions on food imports, price controls and cash transfer operations,” noted Commissioner Sangaré.