the day before the opening of the 16th meeting of the subregional multidisciplinary team of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), scheduled for Praia (Cabo Verde) from November 19 to 22, 2024 , Gouantoueu Robert Guei, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for West Africa and Representative in Senegal, discusses the challenges of this event under the theme “Synergy between actors: dynamic social protection to strengthen resilience and ensure food and nutritional security in West Africa. In this interview with APA, he highlights the challenges, opportunities and impacts of social protection policies in the region.
Why did you choose Cabo Verde as the location for the 16th meeting of the multidisciplinary team, after Gambia the previous year?
The choice of Cabo Verde is not trivial. FAO, in its decentralization dynamic, organizes this crucial meeting each year in a country in the region. This gathering mobilizes representatives of States, sub-regional organizations such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) and CILSS (Permanent Committee inter-State drought control teams in the Sahel), as well as sectoral ministries to assess annual progress, adjust strategies and plan future actions.
Cabo Verde, as an island country, faces specific challenges, particularly logistical and in terms of technical expertise, common to many island nations. However, it excels in areas such as social protection, with integrated and coherent programs, often extended to its diaspora. This performance makes it a model for the region. Thus, this meeting aims to leverage good practices from Cabo Verde and explore how to adapt and scale them in other countries in the sub-region.
What lessons do you draw from the 15th meeting? What progress has been made in terms of social protection?
The 2023 edition focused on investments, with strong advocacy to governments to increase financing in agriculture. FAO has initiated discussions with donors, governments and the private sector in several countries such as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. These efforts aim to encourage sustainable investments, by further integrating the private sector.
For 2024, the central theme is social protection. FAO now has a dedicated program, which focuses on rural, often marginalized populations. It is not just about social insurance, but about concrete support to transform small farmers into independent producers. This support involves financial aid coupled with technical assistance, ensuring that beneficiaries escape the vicious circle of poverty while improving the food security of their families and communities.
How does social protection contribute to food security in West Africa?
Social protection plays a key role in targeting the most vulnerable populations, often identified through single national registers. These programs offer financial aid combined with technical support to strengthen the production capacities of farmers. For example, after two cycles of support, beneficiaries become independent, improving their food security and reducing inequalities.
Furthermore, successful experiences show that initially very precarious beneficiaries are now capable of generating stable income and creating opportunities for others. This dynamic transforms poverty into a lever for economic development.
How do worsening insecurity and climate change affect the achievement of FAO’s objectives?
Insecurity has devastating effects on rural development. Attacks in villages lead to human losses, the destruction of means of production and the displacement of populations, thus worsening food insecurity. Furthermore, climatic hazards such as floods and droughts further complicate the situation. This year, harvests were seriously affected by floods during the harvest period.
Faced with these challenges, FAO is deploying initiatives to replenish seed stocks, support off-season crops and develop infrastructure such as wells and boreholes for agriculture and livestock. Social protection plays an essential role in these efforts, particularly through programs such as “cash for work”, allowing vulnerable populations to restart their activities.
AC/SF/APA
