Insurance Indexed in the framework of the PRISMA project
From 17 to 19 February, a workshop was held in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to disseminate the results of the PRISMA project, an initiative that aims to develop productive, resilient and healthy agro-pastoral systems in West Africa. This event brought together international experts, representatives of regional organisations and project partners to present the progress achieved, both in human and animal nutrition, in order to overcome the main challenges to food security in the region. The CEIGRAM team participated telematically and the results on index insurance and animal feed and aflatoxins were presented.
The workshop presented the essential elements for the implementation of drought index insurance, which can be used by livestock producers to mitigate economic losses in case of extreme weather events. Among the main findings were:
- Determination of key parameters
- Adaptation to the context of transhumance
- Importance of reliable data
- Participation of local actors, involving producers, livestock cooperatives and public institutions in the design and management of insurance.
During the workshop, the importance of training and awareness-raising campaigns was emphasised so that beneficiaries understand how the insurance works and can make informed decisions.
The development of agricultural insurance under the PRISMA project represents a significant step forward in protecting livestock systems from climate variability. The combination of satellite tools, risk models and innovative financing mechanisms opens the door to the implementation of scalable and sustainable solutions.
The next steps needed to consolidate this progress were also presented:
- Expand data collection and analysis in different pastoral ecosystems.
- Strengthen collaboration between governments, insurers and producer organisations
- Develop awareness-raising and training campaigns.
- Explore the integration of insurance with other support mechanisms.
The presentation helped to understand that agricultural insurance can play a key role in climate change adaptation and economic stability of the livestock sector in West Africa.
The PRISMA Project in the fight against aflatoxins in West Africa
The PRISMA Project aims to harmonise the monitoring of aflatoxin levels in the region and to support the ECOWAS Regional Agency for Food and Agriculture (ARAA) in the formulation of new regulations to reduce contamination by these toxic compounds that endanger food health.
During the event, the CEIGRAM-UPM team presented the main achievements so far:
- Harmonised analysis protocols.
- Risk management strategies.
- Climate change impact assessment.
- Expansion of infrastructures.
Regional coordination remains a key challenge to achieve a unified response to aflatoxin contamination. In this regard, the main lines of action were presented at the workshop:
- Continuing aflatoxin detection in beneficiary countries.
- Complete the harmonisation of analytical protocols and improve laboratory equipment.
- Propose the creation of a regional network of laboratories specialised in aflatoxins and expand the equipment of four laboratories in the beneficiary countries.
- Produce a report on feed safety in the region
- Strengthen feed producers’ associations and promote the creation of a regional federation within ECOWAS.
- Raise public awareness of the risks of aflatoxins in food and feed.
A joint effort for food safety
The progress of the PRISMA Project has been possible thanks to the collaboration of various academic bodies, government agencies and local actors. The synergy between these actors has allowed the establishment of common protocols and progress in the harmonisation of regulations that will benefit the entire region.
There is still a long way to go, but initiatives such as PRISMA reinforce the commitment to safer and more sustainable agro-pastoral production. With an approach based on science, cooperation and coordinated action, the project is emerging as a model for addressing food security challenges in West Africa.
