Senegal, Bonifiche Ferraresi to invest US$139M in livestock, agriculture

SENEGAL – Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, Mabouba Diagne, signed an agreement with the Italian group Bonifiche Ferraresi in January to develop more than 10,000 hectares of agricultural land in Sédhiou, located in the Casamance region.

This public-private partnership, estimated to cost US$139 million, aims to transform Sédhiou into a center for agricultural production, livestock farming, and fish farming.

The region of Sédhiou primarily produces cereals such as rice, millet, corn, and peanuts, as well as oilseeds like sesame and peanuts, alongside watermelon.

The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs for local youth and women, establish several Community Agricultural Cooperatives (CAC), and improve socio-economic infrastructure in the area.

This initiative aligns with the Senegalese government’s goal to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, which currently amount to US$1.7 billion annually.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the partnership is in line with the government’s broader objective of achieving food sovereignty and reducing the country’s import bill for food products.

The partnership’s objectives include increasing local agricultural production to meet domestic demand while also enhancing food security across Senegal.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to stimulate the agricultural sector, strengthen local economies, and create lasting economic opportunities for rural communities.

Senegal’s primary agricultural products include groundnuts (peanuts) as the dominant crop, followed by millet, rice, and maize (corn), with groundnut production making up a significant portion of the country’s agricultural exports.

Other popular produce includes vegetables like onions and tomatoes.

Additionally, livestock farming supports food security by being the main supplier of meat for national consumption, with annual production of 200,000 to 214,000 tonnes of meat per year, covering around 95% of national needs.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.