Senegal target agricultural farms to generate jobs
by Market Insider
Tuesday, 28 Apr. 2015
The Senegalese government is planning to
develop 345 farms, which should generate thousands jobs; young people will find 'good-paying jobs' in future farms, which will provide the agricultural products
and enable it to export to other countries, according to the Senegalese Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Equipment.
The Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Equipment visited the first farms managed in Ngomène and Darou Ndoye as
part of a recovery program to boost Senegalese agriculture; the exploitation of
these farms is regulated by the National Agency of Agricultural Development. The
Minisitry expects an “urban exodus”, a decline of young people living in the
cities which will work to the countryside to work in future farms.
According to the Minister, the main challenges of the Senegalese government in
theme of agriculture is to assure food security by rice cultivation, water
management, animal health, the dairy industry in aquaculture, investment in
rural roads and revitalize the agricultural chain value.
According to
the World food Programme (WFP), food insecurity is still high in many parts of
Senegal, particularly in the region affected by the conflict which is disrupting
local production and the ability of farmers to improve their methods and invest
in commerce. In general, the situation of food and nutrition security in the
southern part of the country has worsened and the country as a whole is facing a
food deficit even if it is a major producer of goods in West Africa.
Difficulties in the agricultural sector combined with poverty are the main
causes of household food insecurity.
According to FAO, a quarter of
the population is undernourished, a proportion that has remained stable over the
last decade. And rural-urban division has deepened, so rural areas suffer
disproportionately from food insecurity and malnutrition. More recently, the
government has increased investments in basic services, which has already given
good results, but are still insufficient given the current shortcomings;
however, a stronger political commitment to agriculture and food security can
improve nutritional situation in the country, especially in rural areas.
Source: Medafrica Times