The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met for a two-day summit in Nigeria to review the impact of the food crisis in the region, especially over the last year, and devise a plan for countering the crisis ahead of the new farming season. ECOWAS principle programme officer Dr. Ernest Aubee said after the meetings that ECOWAS will be taking an active role to boost food production in West Africa, as well as develop mechanisms through which to secure that production.
The discussions seemed to draw optimism from its attendees, with Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma claiming programs to stimulate the food supply and reduce hunger would be successful for the future. Dr. Aubee said increased cultivation and government investment in agriculture has, in turn, increased the food supply in West Africa. He encouraged allowing these programs to sustain.
