RATIONALE FOR THE PROGRAMME:

Trade in agricultural products play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth, developing food markets, and reducing poverty and insecurity. Research results over several decades show that a one percent increase in the growth rate of agricultural exports increases the overall rate of economic growth by 0.04 to 1.83 percent. Furthermore, an incremental income increase of US$1 from tradable agriculture goods was shown to generate additional income of between US$1.50 and US$2.50 in rural areas of selected African countries.

Liberia has finally acceded to the World Trade Organization with President Sirleaf describing the event as another turning point in Liberia's history as the country continues the journey of economic transformation for inclusive growth. She said although long and tough, the road to accession has come with milestones of economic growth.

Agricultural policy and food security are major priorities for all countries in the ECOWAS sub-region and also of equal priorities in regional and national policies. The West Africa region, which has major potentials in terms of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, nevertheless faces food security problems because it is dependent on and vulnerable to very differing climate conditions, sub-regional disparities and local production deficits, a lack of market fluidity and little competition within production sectors.

Agriculture plays a significant role in most African economies because it contributes an average of 30 to 40% of the gross national products. It also accounts for about 60% of total export earnings and employs about 70 to 80% of the work force. Agriculture in the West African region is mostly dominated by small holder farmers who cultivate less than 2 ha.

Quality and standards are of very high importance in every country. Agricultural Health Standards also known as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Standards under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement deals with regulatory measures that are applied in order to protect humans (food safety and zoonotic diseases), animals and plant health ultimately by harmonizing SPS measures such as control and inspection procedures and risk assessment methods and facilities for food and agricultural products (raw and processed) in international trade or global supply chains.

The role of Academic Institutions in collaborating with the private sector to spearhead government policies is critical to the development of the nation-state. Speaking at a two-day Workshop on the role of Agriculture Universities in enhancing the capacities of governments to implement agriculture trade policies, Mr. Chris Addy-Nayo, Team Leader of the ECIATA-EDULINK II Project  emphasised on the critical role of Academic Institutions in collaborating with governments and private sector to facilitate the growth and development of the agriculture sector and its contribution to food security and poverty reduction within the ECOWAS sub-region.