In the current context of climate change and variability, the scaling up of production techniques based on the agroecological approach to resource use (land, water, flora, fauna, etc.) offers an opportunity for West African countries to address the challenge of resilience to food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies that affect poor households. Agroecological intensification is therefore the reference to the implementation of agricultural and livestock techniques and practices that enhance organic mechanisms for increased, sustainable and healthy production.

Among other actions undertaken within the framework of its sectoral policies on agriculture, environment and water resources, ECOWAS has been implementing, since 2018, a comprehensive program to support and assist its Member States in succeeding the development of agroecology co-financed by the French Development Agency and the European Union. Through these actions, ECOWAS stimulates the development of innovative practices that optimize the mobilization of ecological processes in the field of agricultural production and food and nutritional security, mainly in areas affected by agricultural land degradation, rainfall problems and natural resource degradation.

As part of this regional program of more than 16 million Euros, it launched some 15 micro-projects in Member States last September, lasting two to three years, to identify innovative agroecological practices to be scaled up at the regional level. Led by grassroots actors and designed on the basis of partnerships, these field projects cover three main areas: agroecological intensification of production within family farms, sustainable development and collective management of natural resources in village areas, catchments and irrigated areas, and the promotion of products resulting from agroecological practices on the market.

For ECOWAS, West Africa must manage its natural resources well in order to produce more to adequately feed an ever-growing population.