Gabon, September 2024

Rice Workshop in Gabon: Progress on the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) 2025-2033

A key workshop took place in Libreville, Gabon, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the task force NRDS with the support of the secretariat of Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) on 9 – 13 September 2024. This event provided technical assistance to support the validation of Gabon’s National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) for 2025-2033 and the creation of concept notes for strategic projects to boost rice production in the country.

Workshop Objectives and Key Achievements

The primary goal of the workshop was to achieve the final technical validation of the NRDS and to outline strategic projects that align with the priorities of the document. The NRDS aims to develop Gabon’s rice sector, which remains underdeveloped despite its potential. While rice is a staple food in Gabon, the country heavily depends on imports, mostly from Asian countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Key objectives of the workshop included:

• Development of Concept Notes: Participants worked on four concept notes for priority projects, essential for attracting funding from development partners.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: An initial set of indicators was introduced to track progress and ensure effective implementation of the NRDS.
• Technical validation of the NRDS: The document received final technical validation, with suggestions for formatting and presentation improvements. The next step will involve political approval.

Key Outcomes

1. Gap Analysis in Gabon’s Rice Sector

A thorough analysis of the current gaps in Gabon’s rice production was conducted, facilitated by a Subsector Intervention Element Matrix (SIEM). This matrix systematically evaluated the existing interventions across various segments of the rice value chain, such as seed production, irrigation, mechanization, and market access. Key gaps identified included the need for enhanced seed quality, improved infrastructure, more efficient mechanization, and better market integration for locally produced rice.

2. Development of Four Concept Notes

The workshop also resulted in the drafting of four key concept notes for projects that align with the NRDS’s strategic priorities. These notes are crucial for securing funding from international partners and cover the following areas:

• Governance support for the rice sector
• Rice mechanization projects
• Rice processing, marketing, and competitiveness initiatives
• Rice intensification projects

Each task force group developed one concept note, which was then peer-reviewed and refined. Although the final versions of these documents are still in progress, they provide a clear roadmap for implementing the NRDS.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

A monitoring and evaluation system was introduced to track progress toward the goals of the NRDS. This system includes 17 baseline indicators, focusing on simplicity, low cost, and flexibility. These indicators will measure key factors such as rice production, yields, irrigation coverage, mechanization efforts, and market performance. Since data collection mechanisms in Gabon are still underdeveloped, there was strong consensus on the need to establish a more robust system to monitor progress effectively.

4. NRDS Technical Validation

The SNDR document was finalized during technical discussions that brought together over 60 participants, including the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MAEP), the Deputy Secretary General of MAEP, 19 members of Gabon’s SNDR task force, and representatives from FAO and JICA. These sessions, chaired by the Director General of the Gabonese Agency for Agricultural Development (ADAG), Mr. Ngangori Adamas Rolexin, focused on gathering final comments to strengthen the document before its submission for political validation. The validation day, held on September 13, 2024, at the Agri-Café of the Ministry of Agriculture in Libreville, marked a significant step forward for Gabon’s rice strategy.

 

Discussions with the African Development Bank (AfDB)

On September 16, 2024, a follow-up meeting was held with representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Although the AfDB was unable to attend the validation workshop, they expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the NRDS. The bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Gabon’s rice sector within the framework of its Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Gabon.

However, challenges remain in securing specific financing for rice mechanization, given the AfDB’s current commitments to broader agricultural mechanization projects under the PAPG1 program. Further discussions are planned to explore potential areas for collaboration and funding.

Conclusion and Way Forward

The workshop in Libreville marked a critical milestone in the development of Gabon’s rice sector. With the NRDS nearing full completion and the development of four strategic project concepts, Gabon is on the path to transforming its rice industry and reducing its heavy reliance on imports. The technical validation of the NRDS, coupled with the introduction of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, sets the stage for concrete actions to be taken in the coming months.

Next steps include integrating final comments into the NRDS, securing political validation, and finalizing the concept notes for submission to development partners including the AfDB. This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment among national stakeholders and international partners to elevate Gabon’s rice production capabilities and ensure long-term food security for the country.

The successful implementation of these initiatives will not only boost Gabon’s rice production but also contribute to the broader goals of agricultural development and economic diversification, creating new opportunities for rural communities and enhancing the country’s self-sufficiency in food production.