Skip to main content
ECOWAS Proposes Solar-Powered Solutions to Region's Agric Challenges 



 The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREE) is rolling out farming techniques that will lead to higher per-hectare yields, significant increase in agricultural productivity and competitiveness through solar energy.

This project is geared towards creating a globally competitive agricultural sector that is able to transform agricultural activities from being predominately rain-fed to one employing the use of modern energy technologies that will drive increased productivity across West Africa.

Mahama Kappiah, executive director of the ECREE, while in a presentation at the workshop jointly organized by Parliament and ECREE, on promoting Agricultural Competitiveness through solar energy stated that Agriculture is a primary employer in the region providing jobs for over 60 percent of the population, hence must be well enhanced. 

Stating the challenges faced by the sector, Kappiah said, “Agricultural sector in west Africa is characterised by low productivity and generally pays less than other sectors, hence exposes its economy to shocks in global food prices”

“With 60 percent of West Africans (about 175 million people) living on less than one dollar a day, the food crisis is hitting a large proportion of the population, climate change is worsening the situation” he said.

Urging Parliamentarians to key into the project, Kappiah said the application of solar system in the agricultural sector will help in tackling post-production losses.
He added that the competitiveness through solar energy will address the sectors overdependence on the irregular nature of the climate for agricultural irrigation through rainfall.

He continued, “Solar Energy in agriculture will support agricultural businesses to produce more by harnessing the regions abundant renewable energy resources towards providing a stable supply of water for irrigation and other agricultural purposes."

“It will optimise the entire agricultural value chain by supporting activities that improve production, processing, storage and transportation of agricultural produce."

“Transform the mind-set of decision-makers and policy implementers to one that recognizes, promotes and advocates for solar energy technologies as a cost effective, investment attractive and environmental friendly option for achieving food security and a globally competitive agricultural sector."

Furthermore he said “Post-harvest losses in West African countries are very high among farmers due to the use of poor harvesting technologies, inadequate food storage and conservation including cold chain infrastructure, and lead to losses and increase the risk of poverty among farmers."

“Besides input and production, electricity from solar can be used in improving several components of the agriculture value chain,” Kappiah added.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abuja Bank Robbery: Police Arrest Alleged Mastermind source: Channels The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested the mastermind of the foiled robbery of a first-generation ba nk in the Mpape area of Abuja last Saturday. The suspect, a barman identified as Ernest was nabbed at his hideout by police detectives and is presently being held at the command headquarters by old CBN building, Garki, Abuja. The police had earlier arrested four suspects and gunned down the fourth member of the robbery gang identified as Patrick during the operation. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, had on Tuesday paraded the gang members including a bank employee, Larry Ehizo, 30, Timothy Joe, 21, Princewill Obinna, 24 and Elijah David, 19. Ehizo who allegedly drove the gang members to the bank claimed he was blackmailed by Ernest to carry out the heist. Narrating how the failed heist was executed, David said Ehizo informed the gang members that the r...
Post a Comment
Read more
GAMBIA PRESIDENT CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOWAS PROTOCOLS  Banjul The President of Gambia,  Adama Barrow has stressed the need for ECOWAS member States to put sharper focus on the implementation of ECOWAS Protocols in order to achieve greater regional integration.  President Barrow, while declaring open on Thursday, the Parliamentary Seminar for the Outgoing Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, taking place in Banjul, Gambia, pointed out that institutional capacity remains a major driver of regional integration and must therefore be prioritized.  The Gambian President, while also bemoaning the high rate of youths migration into Europe,  charged political leaders in the subregion to seek to entrench the respect for the fundamental principles of good governance and dialogue as a means of conflict resolution, in order to provide the needed environment for young people to thrive. "We are saddened by the dangerous journeys our youths...
Post a Comment
Read more

LIBERIA JEWEL TAYLOR CHALLENGE ECOWAS PARLIAMENT ON GENDER EQUALITY

The vice President of Liberia has challenged the ECOWAS Parliament to push for appropriate implementation of the community protocol on gender and human equality across regional and local governments. Vice President Jewel Taylor made this request while concluding her keynote address presented before the Plenary at the official opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament seating in Abuja. Jewel stated that Gender equality is a fundamental human right, yet women are underrepresented in power and decision making roles, women around the region do not fully experience equal rights and their potential as economic, social and sustainable change-agents remains untapped. She said “Excellency, special guest, distinguish members of the ECOWAS Parliament, as I close, permit me to say I will be remiss if I remain silent at this august gathering of regional leaders about the perennial issue of the lack of gender inequality in our local and regional body politics; ...
Post a Comment
Read more