Rome-Dakar, 5 November – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Senegal, will hold a regional project implementation workshop in Dakar on 8-11 November, 2010, to review performance of IFAD-supported programmes in the Western and Central Africa region.

The workshop will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Senegal, Khadim Gueye, and IFAD Director of Western and Central Africa Division, Mohamed Béavogui.

The annual workshop is an important element of the project performance review process that brings together all key stakeholders to share experiences, discuss issues and iron out a regional road map. The workshop will provide an excellent opportunity to participants to share their experiences and knowledge, promoting joint accountability for improving performance.

Over 200 participants, including government representatives, civil society and farmer organizations, the private sector, development partners and project coordinators will work together to gain an in-depth  understanding of project and programme planning. In order to strengthen project performance and obtain better results, emphasis will be placed on addressing respective country action plans. The importance of developing agricultural value chains and financing and governance of these will be key topics of discussion during the workshop deliberations.

Issues and Challenges in Western and Central Africa

The region faces new challenges in an ever changing environment. These range from inadequacies in infrastructure (transport, energy and communication) to those of service delivery (agriculture, education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation). In addition, there are ecological and environmental challenges caused by drought and desertification, deforestation, erosion and soil degradation.

A solution to these challenges is a long-term development agenda, and a sustained commitment to poverty eradication. The development of human capital and the generation of wealth is crucial for all, with a particular focus on the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society – the rural poor, women and youth.

IFAD in Western and Central Africa

To date, IFAD has 50 on-going rural development projects and programmes in Western and Central Africa, for a total investment of US$ 1.3 billion, resulting as one of the largest users of IFAD resources.