One of the dominant parts of Senegal's economy is agriculture. Although Senegal is located in the drought-prone Sahel region, only about 5% of the land is irrigated, so Senegal continues to depend on rain-fed farming. Around 75% of the workforce is dominated by agriculture. The majority of farmers produce for subsistence needs, despite a relatively large range of agricultural production. The primary food crops grown in Senegal are millet, rice, corn, and sorghum. The development of pests such as locusts, birds, fruit flies, and white flies is subject to drought and threats. Also, the consequences of Senegal's climate change are likely to cause serious damage to the agricultural economy due to extreme weather, such as drought, as well as higher temperatures. Senegal is a net importer of food, especially rice, which accounts for nearly 75 percent of cereal imports. Peanuts, sugarcane, and cotton are important cash crops, and a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown for both domestic and foreign markets. In 2006, Arabic gum exports grew to $280 million, making it the largest agricultural export by far. Senegal's major cash crops are green beans, industrial tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, melon and mango. Agriculture production is at the heart of the Senegal Emergent Plan (PSE) through the Recovery and Acceleration of the Agricultural Cadence in Senegal program portion (PRACAS).

This portion stipulates the self-sufficiency of rice through the production of irrigated and rain fed rice, the production of peanuts as part of a value chain approach, and the growth of the gardening and horticulture industry, a section primarily dedicated to exports. The agricultural potential of the member states of the West African Economic Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Group of West African States (ECOWAS) of this Sahelian nation is diverse. The exploitable lands are large, especially in the valley of the Senegal River and in the privileged rice-growing areas of Casamance, but also the region of Baol, the historical peanut basin. Value chains are being developed and there are already substantial manufacturing industries in operation. The nation has the potential to transform from a net food importer to an exporter. Rice production is projected to increase from an average of 300 000 tons per year to 1.6 million tonnes of paddy rice (unprocessed rice) in 2018 to cover the country's rice requirements. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Agriculture of Senegal estimated that the investment needed to achieve this objective was CFA 800 billion. By reducing imports that mobilize an average of CFA 150 billion in foreign exchange per year and account for 16 percent of the trade balance deficit, rice self-sufficiency would have positive macroeconomic implications.

Fig1.Some of the country's agricultural commodities

1.PEANUTS

The production of peanuts accounts for approximately 40 percent of the cultivated land, occupies two million hectares, and provides jobs for up to one million people. Although the contribution of the peanut sector to foreign exchange earnings has fallen below that of fishing and mining, peanuts continue to play an important role as the main cash crop for many rural Senegalese farmers in the overall economy. Peanuts are harvested locally, and prices are set by a government-operated commission for processed peanut oil and other peanut products. Due to intermittent drought, the production of unshelled peanuts varies widely, and production is often underreported due to illegal sales to processors in neighboring countries. In 2005, the overall production was projected to be 850,000 tons. In 2005, exports of peanut products reached approximately CFA 15 billion ($30 million). They account for some 60% of the total exports of agricultural products, of which 75% is made up of peanut oil. Peanut oil exports from SUNEOR (former SONACOS) account for 45 to 50 percent of world market trade-in peanut oil.

Fig2.Peanut”Source:Fafrique.latribune.fr”

2.FOOD GRAINS

The principal subsistence food crops for Senegal's rural population are rice, millet, and sorghum. Maize and Fonio(Digit aria exilis) are also important crops for cereals. The production of cereal food crops such as rice, millet, maize, and sorghum, mostly cultivated in rotation with peanuts, does not fulfill the needs of Senegal.   The country approaches self-sufficiency in millet, maize, sorghum, and fonio only during years of strong rainfall. Following the government's decision to subsidize fertilizer and promote maize production, local production increased significantly in the early 2000s, thereby reducing reliance on peanuts. Total cereal production (including milled rice) is estimated at 1,177,782 MT in 2005/06, covering some 60 percent of the consumption requirements. However, this production would less likely affect imports given the segmentation of the rice industry. However, in years of poor rainfall and other natural disasters, because of the low availability and trade of this grain in the area, the lack of coarse grains, especially millet, may be more difficult to cover. In Senegal, climate change is likely to lead to lower yields of key crops, including sorghum and millet, putting a strain on rural livelihoods. The increase in rice imports has resolved these restrictions, with a change from millet to rice consumption in households that can afford it. Senegal, ahead of Côte d'Ivoire and behind Nigeria, is the second-largest importer of rice in Africa. Imports from Senegal in 2005 reached 1,113,000 MT, with net imports estimated at 854,000 MT. The choice of consumers is 100% broken rice from Asia, primarily from Thailand and India, and recently from Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The consumption of rice per capita continues to rise and is estimated at 70 to 75 kilograms, with an estimated annual total consumption of 700,000 MT.

3.AGRICULTURAL GOVERMENT MINISTRIE

Two major ministries structure the agricultural sector’s institutional structure. The Ministry of Agriculture, Biofuels and Food Protection, including the Directorate of Agriculture responsible for enforcing food grain and agro-industrial production policies and overseeing field-based extension services; the Directorate of Horticulture. Which coordinates the horticultural sector's government support; the Directorate of the Agricultural Census; and the Directorate of Horticulture, which coordinates the horticultural sector's government support; the second ministry involved in the agricultural sector is the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, which coordinates government funding for the livestock, dairy and poultry sub-sectors through many agencies. Study and educational organizations complete these programs. The leading agricultural research institution is ISRA (Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute), which works on a variety of issues relating to crop and animal production, SPS and veterinary issues, fisheries and forest products, and rural socio-economy. ITA (Food Technology Institute), CDH (horticultural research), and WARDA are other significant research institutions (The Africa Rice Center).

4.THE EXPORT POTENTIAL OF HORTICULTURE

Indeed, in addition to cereals and peanuts, it should be noted the sharp increase in exports of horticultural products, which rose from 9,300 tons in 2000 to 67,000 in 2013, an increase of 700%. This progression was also accompanied by a diversification of exports that came out of the single-product (green beans) to embrace a wider range (green beans, tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, radishes, watermelons...). The socio-economic impact on the rural world is important. The sector employs 15,000 permanent staff and has an export turnover of 100 million euros. These horticultural crops, which are only possible during the so-called cold season between November and March, attract many international investors. The significant increase in exports positions ("Origine Sénégal") of Senegalese origin on the markets of the European Union. Located at the intersection of sea routes, close to Europe (5 hours by plane) and modern port and airport infrastructures, Senegal has a significant margin of development of the fruit and vegetable sector. Certainly, the competitiveness of horticulture in Senegal is focused on intrinsic factors, but also on good sectoral support, as well as on legal and tax protection. As the key mechanism for the export of horticultural products, the stabilization of the status of Free Export Enterprises (EFE) seems important. The absence of new approvals given since 2013 and the declassification risks faced by this tax hike since 2012 have forced investors to be wary. FAO, USAID, USDA, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the West African Development Bank, the French government, the Peace Corps, and many other local and foreign NGOs are the main donors active in the agricultural sector in Senegal.

（Priscilla Owusu-Ansah，Assistant of CWAS from School of Public Affairs and Administration of UESTC）

    Please refer to the Chinese Version published on Huanqiu.com, one of the top three rating news media in China. Huanqiu.com is a national rating on line media platform, approved by the publisher of People's Daily and the Central Internet Information Office of China. This column is to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners on West African issues.

Link：https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/42jFVOOj1Jn