USAID Agribusiness and Trade Promotion (USAID ATP) Quarterly Progress Report January 2011 – March 2011

The program was launched in 2010 with the goal of reducing barriers to trade and enhancing linkages among agricultural producers, agro-input suppliers, agro-processors, and distributors. The ATP program focuses on four key outcomes: reduced incidence of barriers to intra-regional agricultural trade, enhanced linkages among agricultural producers and agro-input suppliers, agro-processors, and distributors, more effective advocacy by actors for policies in support of a conducive environment for increased regional agricultural trade, and promoting efficiency of regional value chains. One of the key strategies employed by the ATP program is the value chain corridor-based approach, which involves identifying and addressing specific barriers to trade along the value chain. The program has established partnerships with regional associations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to implement this approach. The ATP program has made significant progress in reducing barriers to trade, particularly in the areas of transport-related physical barriers and trade and agricultural policy-related barriers. The program has also enhanced linkages among agricultural producers and agro-input suppliers, agro-processors, and distributors through the development of value chain development plans and the building of business linkages. In terms of advocacy, the ATP program has supported regional advocacy plans by value chain and provided advocacy assistance and grants to selected apex and value chain organizations. The program has also supported key advocacy events, such as the ECOWAS Trade Fair. The ATP program has also made progress in promoting efficiency of regional value chains through the development of a market information system and the mobilization of additional finance through access to credit, warehouse receipts, and leverage. The program has also implemented a pipeline analysis and performance monitoring system to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The ATP program has achieved significant results in terms of intra-regional trade, with exports increasing by 15% in the second quarter of FY11. The program has also assisted organizations and firms in accessing new markets and improving their competitiveness. Overall, the ATP program has made significant progress in promoting intra-regional agricultural trade in West Africa and has contributed to the development of a more conducive environment for increased regional agricultural trade.