Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a significant move to enhance regional procurement frameworks, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with The Gambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, is hosting its third annual procurement workshop through the Roots Project. The training brings together over 150 delegates from across West and Central Africa, with the goal of deepening skills and knowledge in procurement practices.

Procurement is a key component in organizational development, ensuring access to the resources needed to improve efficiency and achieve desired outcomes. Toure Yemitia Carine, Senior Procurement Officer at IFAD, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our aim is to build the capacity of procurement specialists. With more than 50 projects funded by IFAD within the region, valued at almost $600 million, we are here to support the fight against food insecurity.”

Carine added that IFAD remains committed to ensuring the best value for money in all its operations, underscoring the importance of cost-effectiveness in the projects it supports. The workshop is designed to foster these goals by equipping participants with the tools needed to minimize costs, maximize value, and mitigate risks in procurement processes.

The event also serves as a platform for discussing challenges linked to procurement management in the region. Mod Secka, Permanent Secretary of The Gambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, highlighted the evolving nature of public procurement, noting that it has grown from an administrative task to a strategic function. Secka stressed the need for robust systems to improve current practices.

“Public procurement is a complex development tool that impacts multiple sectors of the economy, presenting both opportunities and challenges. It is therefore crucial to prioritize efficient and effective procurement practices to optimize the substantial investment channeled through procurement units,” Secka said, referencing that an estimated 82 to 85 percent of IFAD and government budgets are directed through these units.

IFAD’s multi-country head in Dakar, Mateo Marchisio, echoed these sentiments and commended the workshop for its success in driving procurement innovation. Marchisio called on participants to adopt new tools in their projects, such as IFAD’s online procurement system, OPEN, which includes features like social, environmental, and climate assessment procedures (SACAP) and a Contract Monitoring Tool (CMT).

“This workshop is not only an opportunity to interact in person with our procurement team, but a chance to directly benefit from the expertise of your peer colleagues in the region,” Marchisio concluded.

Over the next few days, attendees will delve into emerging procurement systems, explore new trends, and develop frameworks for knowledge sharing. The workshop stands as a critical effort to enhance procurement practices across the region, ultimately aiming to improve the efficiency and impact of agricultural projects supported by IFAD.