Agriculture in Senegal, getting out of subsistence

Professor Moussa Baldé, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Equipment. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

By: Sayouba Traoré

With 6 large agro-ecological zones, Senegal has no shortage of assets in terms of agricultural production. However, Senegal remains a net importer of food products. How to get out of this situation? Managers and field technicians answer our questions.

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The rural population represented 55% of the total population of Senegal in 2013. The agriculture-fishing sector is an important economic sector; it contributes 14% of the GDP and employs around 50% of the active population. Despite this, more than half of the rural population, generally very small subsistence farmers, live below the poverty line and 30% of them are affected by food insecurity. Most of it is seasonal and rain-fed agriculture, centered on the wintering period.

Djibril Diop, technical advisor to the director general of the Compagnie Nationale d'Assurance Agricole du Sénégal. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

Agriculture has to face climatic, health and environmental risks, especially in the Sahel countries where most of the production depends on the rainy season. In such conditions, the vagaries of the weather, the decline in soil fertility and pest attacks have a strong impact on production.

Investments are needed to get rid of seasonal and rain-fed agriculture, centered on the wintering period. The peasant in his village is already struggling to achieve food self-sufficiency. It turns out that funding agencies need collateral. And the peasant should not be relied on to provide elements of this guarantee.

Malick Ndiaye, director general of the Agricultural Bank of Senegal. RFI / Sayouba Traoré

Guests:
-  Professor Moussa Baldé , Minister of Agriculture and Rural Equipment
-  Malick Ndiaye , Director General of the Agricultural Bank of Senegal
-  Djibril Diop , Technical Advisor to the Director General of the National Company of Agricultural Insurance of Senegal.

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  • Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Senegal

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