Drawing up a promising assessment for the agricultural sector, the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) reveals that cereal production recorded an increase of 14.9% compared to the previous campaign.
The latest economic bulletin published by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) paints an encouraging portrait of the Senegalese agricultural sector for the year 2024. This document highlights significant progress in the production of cereals and crops. industrial sectors, while highlighting the challenges that remain.
According to ANSD data, cereal production reached 1 million 260 709 tonnes during the 2023-2024 agricultural campaign, recording an increase of 14.9% compared to the previous campaign.
This performance is based on the increase in cultivated areas, associated with better climatic conditions and increased involvement of producers.
Millet, one of the pillars of the Senegalese diet, increased by 15% in production, confirming its strategic role in national food security. Likewise, rice production saw an increase of 8.3%, consolidating efforts to reduce dependence on imports.
However, not all segments share this positive dynamic. Industrial crops such as cotton and cowpea declined by 6.7% and 17.1% respectively.
These poor performances are mainly attributed to logistical difficulties and insufficient access to agricultural inputs, two limiting factors that the report identifies as priorities for future action.
Alongside the increase in yields, the bulletin notes a significant increase in the prices of several agricultural products. For example, the average price of millet increased by 14% between October 2023 and October 2024 in several regions of the country.
This trend, although beneficial for producers, raises concerns about its potential impact on household purchasing power, particularly in a context of economic vulnerability.
Booming agricultural exports
Senegalese agriculture also stands out for its remarkable export performances. Horticultural products, notably mangoes and tomatoes, are among the main successes, registering an increase of 12% and 18% respectively.
These results reflect the joint efforts of producers and authorities to improve the competitiveness of Senegalese products on the international market.
This dynamic is particularly encouraging in a context where agricultural exports are becoming an essential lever for strengthening foreign currency reserves and reducing the country’s trade deficit.
Despite this progress, the ANSD report emphasizes the need to overcome several obstacles to sustain agricultural performance. Access to inputs, such as seeds and fertilizer, remains unequal, hampering the potential of many producers.
« Ensuring fair and timely distribution of agricultural inputs is essential to maintaining high yields », Underlines the bulletin.
The challenge of irrigation is also crucial. While the agricultural sector still largely depends on precipitation, the development of modern irrigation systems is essential to guarantee the resilience of crops in the face of climatic hazards.
Furthermore, post-harvest losses, often linked to inadequate logistics infrastructure, continue to represent a major problem. Improving transport and storage systems could reduce these losses and strengthen the competitiveness of Senegalese products on local and international markets.
Finally, strengthening the capacities of farmers remains a priority. Training on modern cultivation techniques and sustainable agricultural practices would optimize yields and improve producers’ income.
ARD/te/Sf/APA
