As part of the programme to develop 1,000 hectares of modern farms for community agricultural cooperatives, the FSRP-SN officially handed over the sites in February to the companies responsible for the development work in the municipalities of Taif (Diourbel region) and Mbayenne and Niakhène (Thiès region).
The handover of the sites to the contractors took place in the presence of administrative and local authorities, decentralised technical services, beneficiaries and representatives of the cooperatives, who contributed to the mobilisation and securing of land rights for the sites.
Divided into 50 farms of 20 hectares each, they are subdivided into 1-hectare plots, intended primarily for young people and women agripreneurs, with a view to promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and revitalising the rural economy.
The development works include the drilling of boreholes, the installation of modern irrigation systems (centre pivot, drip and sprinkler), the construction of water storage tanks, agricultural greenhouses, and multi-purpose buildings for the cooperatives. The sites will also be secured by fencing and equipped with infrastructure for livestock farming (poultry, sheep and goat rearing).
The pumping system will rely primarily on solar and thermal energy (with a backup generator), reducing operating costs and the carbon footprint.
In parallel, a support mechanism for development will be rolled out, providing agricultural advisers and training sessions to guide beneficiaries towards efficient and sustainable farming practices.
Led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Infrastructure and Food Sovereignty, this initiative aims to modernise agricultural production, create jobs for young people and women, and strengthen Senegal’s food sovereignty.
A breath of fresh air for producers
At the handover of the sites, representatives of the cooperatives and producers expressed their enthusiasm and hope regarding these transformative investments, which are expected to bring about a lasting change in agricultural production conditions in these localities.
For many young people and women in rural areas, these modern farms represent a concrete opportunity to access land, modern equipment and sustainable incomes.
The implementation of this infrastructure will be overseen by ANIDA, in close collaboration with administrative and local authorities, decentralised technical services (DRDR, ANCAR, SDDR, DREEC, etc.) and producer organisations.
Through this initiative, the FSRP in Senegal is actively contributing to the modernisation of agriculture, strengthening the resilience of food systems and accelerating the achievement of food sovereignty in Senegal.
