Access to the FRA: The obstacle-strewn path of transformative women

Transformative women, state services, support structures, laboratories, parliamentarians, civil society organizations and private sector actors met this Wednesday around a major concern: facilitating access to FRA (manufacturing and marketing authorization) and strengthening the promotion of local products.

This meeting provided an opportunity to share the results of a study conducted with women involved in food processing in Kaolack, Tambacounda, Thiaroye, and Bambilor. The objective was to highlight the challenges encountered on the ground, to compare the experiences of different stakeholders, and to identify potential courses of action to inform future advocacy efforts.

For Amadou Kanouté, executive director of CICODEV, access to the FRA (Farm Authorization Regulation) is both a health and economic issue. "If products cannot obtain the authorization that allows them to produce, manufacture and sell, it poses a problem. This authorization is crucial," he emphasizes.

According to him, this authorization plays a crucial role in protecting consumers. But beyond the health issue, Amadou Kanouté believes that difficulties accessing the FRA (Regional Agricultural Facility) can also hinder the consumption of locally produced goods.

According to the executive director of CICODEV, the weakness of the processing sector is one of the links that still limits the value of local production. He points out that Senegal continues to import over 1 trillion CFA francs worth of food each year, some of which could be produced, processed, and consumed locally.

The study presented at the meeting and carried out by expert Babacar Ndiaye, identified several difficulties faced by women in transformation.

The first issue concerns production conditions. The question of analyses also presents an obstacle. Added to this is a lack of familiarity with the procedures.

Thursday's meeting aims to allow participants to compare their realities and seek common solutions to the identified difficulties. "We intend to stimulate debate around these issues in order to reach consensus-based solutions," explains Amadou Kanouté.

For the latter, the conclusions of these discussions could form the basis for advocacy efforts with authorities and various stakeholders. The objective is to contribute to removing the administrative, technical, and economic obstacles that limit women processors' access to the formal market.