Despite the State’s efforts to promote agriculture, local actors face significant difficulties which hinder their ability to carry out their agricultural activities. Among the main concerns raised by producers are:
-The high cost of electricity bills: access to energy is a crucial issue for farmers, particularly for the irrigation of crops and the operation of agricultural infrastructure. High electricity costs place a considerable financial burden on producers, reducing their profitability.
Unpaid insurance: producers are often faced with unpaid insurance, which jeopardizes their coverage in the event of natural disasters or economic difficulties. This creates a climate of uncertainty that can discourage local investors and farmers.
The absence of Motorized Pumping Units (GPM): this equipment is essential for irrigating crops, particularly in areas where rainfall is insufficient. The absence of GPM represents a major obstacle to the proper development of agricultural operations.
Lack of tractors and harvesting machines: the absence of modern agricultural equipment, such as tractors, hampers the efficiency of agricultural production and slows down the harvesting process, thus creating significant economic losses.
Faced with these difficulties, the National Society for Land Development and Exploitation of the Delta (SAED) is committed to “removing the constraints” which hinder the proper development of agriculture in the region. According to Paul Marie Faye, Deputy General Director of SAED, measures will be taken to improve the working conditions of producers, in particular by facilitating access to water, improving the supply of equipment and optimizing production systems. irrigation.
The difficulties encountered by donors
The region’s agricultural sector also suffers from financial problems, particularly with regard to the reimbursement of financing granted by certain donors, such as the Agricultural Bank.
Tafsir Baba Hanne, deputy governor of Matam, stressed that some producers are having difficulty repaying their loans, which further complicates the situation for players in the sector. This situation creates financial instability that could hamper the growth of agriculture in the region in the long term.
