Senegal produced more than 450 tonnes of pre-base and certified seeds (R1 and R2) thanks to the first phase of the TAAT program (Technologies for the transformation of African agriculture), In partnership with sub-regional institutions such as Icrisat.
The announcement of a production of 450 tonnes of seeds certified in Senegal was made by Moctar Ndiaye, director of agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Breeding (MASAE). He Explained Thursday in Dakar, on the occasion of the national dialogue on agricultural technologies, organized around the theme: “ Technologies for the transformation of African agricultureTAAT- in the Republic of Senegal: for an effective seed system and the scale of powerful technologies to transform Senegalese agriculture ».
According to Mr. Ndiaye, twelve proven agricultural technologies were deployed within the framework of the project, including in particular varieties of double -use cereals, adapted to the effects of climate change. In parallel, nearly 200 producers were trained, positively impacting more than 65,000 farmers across the country.
“These results illustrate the dynamism of our agricultural ecosystem, especially in the development of resilient varieties with drought and adapted to degraded soils “, He said, insisting on the productivity gains observed, especially in the most vulnerable areas.
On the strategic level, Moctar Ndiaye recalled that the structural transformation of agriculture is among the national priorities, in line with the Sénégal 2050 agenda. The government is thus focusing on the research, innovation and dissemination of agricultural technologies to permanently modernize the sector.
-He praised the involvement of the African Development Bank in this process, in particular through its support for innovations from national agricultural research systems. “I am convinced that in this dynamic, our ministry will be able to strengthen its collaboration with the African Institute of Agricultural Leadership to build a structured, efficient and resilient seed system,” he said.
For Moctar Ndiaye, access to quality seeds, suitable for local contexts, is an essential pillar of food sovereignty. It is in this perspective that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has made agricultural transformation a priority of his mandate.
“We have in our hands the levers of a real African agricultural revolution, based on innovation, sovereignty and solidarity. But this transformation can only materialize through a strong synergy between researchers, producers, public decision -makers and technical partners », At-the Having you.
Finally, he deplored the high dependence of the continent to imports of seeds often unsuitable for local realities.
« This situation weakens our production, our food security and our competitiveness. Semership sovereignty is not just a technical question. It is a strategic issue that conditions our economic autonomy and the sustainability of our agricultural systems ”concluded the director of agriculture.
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