BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION: ADVOCACY WORK in ECOWAS

Transcription

1 BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION: ADVOCACY WORK in ECOWAS Dr Thiam Ismael West African Health Organization/ECOWAS 35 th SCN Session, Hanoi H1 OUTLINE I WHY& WHAT? Background: Agriculture & Health Nutrition in West Africa II HOW? Policy Changes NEEDED III INITIATIVES: The First Steps in West Africa 1

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3 Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS Mali Niger Cap Verde Senegal Gambia Guinea Bissau Guinea Burkina Faso Benin Nigeria Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d Ivoire Ghana Togo Background Agriculture is a strategic Domain: 33% GDP, 40% exportation income; 70% of employment.; Chronic undernourished is estimated at 300 millions by Agriculture in West Africa is facing to: HH Food Insecurity Agriculture income Sustainable management of natural resources Competitivity. 2

4 Background West Africa s diverse agricultural ecosystems provide a wide selection of traditional foods that can increase food availability Expand household food choices, thus ensuring dietary diversity and better nutrition. Food diversity and relative abundance in the sub-region, there are current reports of decreases in agricultural productivity and increases in food insecurity. This deteriorating food and agriculture situation in the subregion has negatively impacted on household food security as well as the nutrition and health status of populations within the region. (WAHO, Bioversity, FAO, UEMOA, GFU. Report 2007) UNICEF REPORT (2007) COTE BENIN BF CAP V CHAAD CAR GAMBIA GUINE GUIN B MALI MAURIT NIGER NIGERIA GHANA TOGO SENEG SIE. LE LIBERIA D'IV Under W. M&S St unt ing M &S

5 Evolution of Chronic Malnutrition in WA ( ) CED in WA prevalence rates remains the same in WA. Others data show a deteriorating situation. Lancet Series Problem: reliable and valid Data (Guiro) Afrique Nord Ouest Est Agriculture, Health & Nut in WA Great Availability and Diversity Access Problem and the Missing Piece UTILIZATION Globalization Principles: Market seeking, outsourcing, oligopolistic competition (Michalet) Urbanization (Internal migration) More Social Regrettables = Losers: Small producers, traditional food market stakeholders Increasing Income: Does not systematically impact on improved food consumption (Quality/Safety) Benefits: Large multinational, fast food and supermarket chains VS Street Foods 4

6 Agriculture and Health/Nut. in WA. Opportunities: Lands and water Food Staples with high value added : fruits and vegetables Livelistock and Fisheries Workforce ; Food Processing industry Creative economic Actors (Women Associations) ; Support from many Partners: (ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, AfDB, FAO, USAID, WB, EU, NGOS...) Food and Health/Nutrition In the general population prevalence of malnutrition and diseases influences market demand for agric. Products. In the agric. Population workers with poor health a less able to work. Consequences Cutting productivity & Income Perpetuation of a downward spiral into health and poverty Jeopardizing Food & economic development Hawkes & Ruel: (2006) 5

7 Policy Changes NEEDED Paradigm Shift: Agric policy centered to Human sustainable development Ensure Availability and Accessibility to affordable food/micro nutrients for HH and vulnerable groups Regulation, BCC, management and care: Impacts of Globalization (over and under nutrition) Promote and strengthen local food systems by Supporting Research (Mapping and biological values) Marketing Capacity building Local small scale food processing stakeholders (local demand and supply vs Supermarket chains Policy Changes NEEDED Create a favorable environment within the Economic Integration Policy mandate of WAHO/Partners Facilitate access to appropriate Inputs, Technologies and Lands. Increase Investments in rural physical Infrastructure & for services (agric, health, education, water, energy ) Adoption of legislation on advertising impact (facilitated by illiteracy, lack of sensitization, poverty FDI) Set up mechanisms against migration in from rural to urban areas (Civil Society, Governance: PLANTES for PLANES Governance, = Human Rights and Ethical oriented 6

8 Initiatives in Biodiversity for West African People By WAHO and Partners ADVOCAY IN West Africa for Biodiversity To be based on the Background, Paradigm shift Ideology and Methods: (KUHN: Scientific Revolutions structure) A Principle in the framework: set up a Coalition: Several Initiatives in West Africa WAHO/CILSS: Joint Action Plan 2006 Bobo WAHO, CILSS, FAO, WFP, WHO (M Bour, 2007) WAHO, FAO, Bioversity: Ouaga 2007 WAHO/CILSS/FAO/USAID, WFP, WHO, EU/IRD : Banjul 2007 WAHO, UNICEF, USAID (October 2007, Senegal) WAHO/CILSS, FAO, UNICEF, IRD, USAID : Nouakchott March 2008 EU/AU-ECOWAS-REC: Initiative 7

9 Advocacy in West Africa (2) Opportunities Awareness; EU/ACP Agreements Negotiations, AU Head of States Meeting on Food (Abuja 2006) Partnership in the sub region Resources: Human and Financial Vulnerability quite structural in West Africa : Calls for Action WAHO: Political Mandate with the Council and the Head of States and Operational Principles (A, B, C, D) Increasing role of Civil Society Policy Papers: Nutrition Lens in CAADP, AURNS Advocacy in West Africa (2) Challenges Support Effectiveness and functionality of the Alliances at Global, Regional and Country Levels Use Platform of the SCN and Ecowas Nutrition Forum to Implement the recommendation of Sao Vicente: SCN/WAHO Intensify Information Exchange and Dissemination on a regular basis using IT Address Climate Change (IFRC) Put the link between Agriculture and Health at the highest level (ECOWAS Head of States meeting) Develop and appropriate Advocacy Strategy Integration of Nutrition in ECOWAP 8

10 There is a cheap, available, local resource but it is often not fully exploited because Health Policy and Agricultural Policy generally operate independently. B.E. Frison (Bioversity Intl.) CONCLUSION THANKS 9