The Constitutive General Assembly of the Multisector Cooperative Society Senegal Ca Kanam (SCOOP) was held today, January 9, 2025, at the House of Associations of the Town Hall of Guédiawaye. This significant event brought together numerous actors from the agricultural sector and institutional partners to formalize the creation of this ambitious structure, designed as part of Senegal’s Vision 2050, aimed at strengthening the country’s economic and food sovereignty. The meeting helped lay the foundations of an economic, social and environmental development project, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between members and sharing of resources to maximize the impact of the agricultural sector.
The cooperative’s central objective is to contribute to food sovereignty by transforming local agricultural production, but also to reduce post-harvest losses thanks to adapted infrastructure, such as stores and silos. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to include innovative financing mechanisms to improve the financial autonomy of members, while supporting agroecological practices to protect the environment and restore degraded soils. In addition, the cooperative intends to become an essential platform to amplify the voice of local producers, stimulate an inclusive local economy and serve as an incubator for innovative initiatives.
Among the main issues addressed during this General Assembly, we find water management, a crucial challenge in a country where water resources are limited, as well as the fight against rural exodus, by offering local economic opportunities. Participants also highlighted the importance of adaptation to climate change and management of natural resources, particularly in the face of increasing desertification in certain areas of the country. Finally, the cooperative is committed to promoting transparent, equitable and responsible governance practices, ensuring that small producers, women and young people receive special attention in all initiatives undertaken.
Senegal
