Blog Regional coordination results in pioneering plan to tackle pests and diseases in West and Central Africa
Pests and diseases are increasingly damaging agricultural harvests, threatening the livelihoods of millions in West and Central Africa. To tackle this issue, a coordinated effort has led to the development of a Regional Pest and Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response Plan, launched formally in September 2024.
Agriculture in West and Central Africa faces increasing threats posed by outbreaks of climate-driven pests, diseases and new pathogenic strains. Communities in the region depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, making the development of forward-thinking solutions to these challenges critical. Developed through a long-term collaborative process, the Regional Pest and Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response Plan is an inclusive and proactive response to these threats.
A bold solution guided by a clear vision
The Regional Pest and Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response Plan is designed to equip the West and Central Africa region with the technical, operational, and financial capacity to respond to any outbreak efficiently. The plan emphasizes inclusivity, integration, and coordination, supporting sustainable, healthy, and climate-resilient agricultural systems. In addition to outlining procedures, roles, responsibilities, budgets, and treatments for pest and disease outbreaks, it identifies research gaps and provides guidelines for swift and effective eradication programs.
"In our region, we often face disease outbreaks that disrupt food systems. Usually, it's only after an outbreak occurs that stakeholders seek solutions. This plan provides a roadmap for institutions to take proactive actions before, during, and after outbreaks to minimize their impacts," said Alcade Segnon, Science Officer for AICCRA in West Africa.
Recognizing the urgent need for proactive strategies to effectively manage pest and disease outbreaks, the plan’s development was initiated in response to a request from AICCRA’s regional partner, the West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF). This objective aligned closely to AICCRA’s mission to improve access to and use of climate information services and climate-smart agriculture practices across the region.
