FAO Regional Office for Africa

Côte d’Ivoire: for a new strategy for the sustainable development of the small ruminants sector

Follow up on the FAO-OIE Global Program for the Control and Eradication of the Peste des petits ruminants

@FAO Photo

16 December 2015, Grand-Bassam– A national consultation brought together representatives of the relevant structures of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, representatives of professional organizations and players in the small ruminants sector, researchers, FAO, as well as technical and financial partners with the aim to contribute to the implementation of the global strategy for the control and eradication of the Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and sustainably improving the performance of the small ruminants sector for food security.

The objective of the meeting was to follow up on the recommendations of the International Conference for the Control and Eradication of PPR held from 31 March to 2 April 2015 in Abidjan, which had led to the launching of the FAO-OIE Global Program for the Control and Eradication of the Peste des petits ruminants (PPR-GCEP).

The meeting confirmed that the sustainable development of the small ruminants sector remains a national and sub-regional priority and provided a forum to discuss health, zootechnical and genetic, as well as socio-economic constraints and prospects with a view to strengthen the sector by improving its technical and economic performance with special consideration for the prevention and control of the PPR.

Dr. Zoumana Meité, Director of Cabinet, representing the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, expressed his gratitude to all the technical and financial partners who share the realistic vision to see the whole world free from the PPR.

After noting that there is a food balance deficit characterized by a very high level of animal protein imports, he expressed great hopes on the results and recommendations from this important meeting, for the purpose of providing Côte d’Ivoire with a strategy for the control and eradication of this dreaded disease, as pledged during the International Conference in Abidjan.

Prospects for the Ivorian Government and FAO

Germain Dasylva, FAO Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, recalls the support given to the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries and is convinced of the value of the workshop discussions. “This consultation should enable inclusive information sharing for a national approach with a view to an integrated improvement of the sector, which will lead to a national strategy for the control and eradication of PPR,” he said.

The recommendations call for, among others, the establishment of a technical committee for the formulation of the national strategy for the development of the sector of small ruminants, for the control and eradication of PPR and emerging and transboundary diseases, and the harmonization of the control of PPR in the countries of the sub-region.

In Côte d’Ivoire – as in many African countries – small ruminants play a key role in providing livelihood, generating income, and ensuring nutrition and food security to millions of farmers, agro-pastoralists and consumers. Unfortunately, PPR is one of the most harmful diseases to livestock in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It has a significant negative impact on the economy, food security and livelihoods of small ruminants farmers.

 

Contact:

Marina MEA, Communication Officer, FAO Côte d’Ivoire – Tel: +225 57 10 09 24 – e-mail: [email protected]