Sector profile apix english agriculture and agribusiness 18 10_2017

1. SECTOR FACT SHEET • AGRICULTURE AND AGROBUSINESS
AGRICULTURE AND
AGROBUSINESS
www.investissenegal.com
SECTOR PROFILE
The Senegalese economy is primarily driven by the agriculture sector which occupies more than 60% of the working
population. In view of its importance, the State of Senegal has implemented significant programmes to improve,
strengthen and modernize the agricultural production base through policies defined in the economic and social policy
document (PSE), the accelerated growth strategy (AGS) and the agro-sylvo-pastoral orientation law (LOASP), among
others.
The Senegalese agriculture primarily consists of:
• annual agricultural developments concerning only 65% of this land, i.e. about 2.5 million hectares
• Surface Area: 197 161 km²
• Climate: Sudano -Sahelian providing for three farming seasons (Rainy season; Dry farming season ; River
farming season).
• Rainfall: North about 300mm/annum; Centre about 600-800mm/annum ; South – East about 1200mm/annum
• Water resources: 35 billion m3 (Surface water: 31 billion m3 Underground water: 4 billion m3)
• Irrigable Potential: 350 000 ha of which only 130 000 ha are developed
• Main crops: Rice, Millet, Maize, Sorghum, Groundnuts, Onions, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Beans, Sweet Potatoes,
Melon, Water Melon, Mangoes, Banana)
• Type of farming: Family farming (about 90% family farms) Agro-business /Industrial Agriculture (National and
International Investments).

2. SECTOR FACT SHEET • AGRICULTURE AND AGROBUSINESS
AGRICULTURE AND
AGROBUSINESS
www.investissenegal.com
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES COMPARATIFS
SENEGAL’S POSITIONING
Senegal is among the countries of sub-Saharan Africa that are closest to major European markets. On account of
its abundant land resources conducive to agricultural production and its immense water resources, the potential of
agriculture in Senegal is widely acknowledged. The success stories of recent years attest to the existing capacity
of Senegalese and foreign private operators on both the local and export market and, in particular, in horticultural
production.
The climate and soil conditions throughout the country, provide an excellent environment for agricultural production
and, in particular, horticultural production.
Senegal’s competitiveness in agriculture, and more specifically in off-season export horticulture, is due to several
positive factors namely:
Agriculture is a strong driver of socio-economic development in Senegal. It provides confirmed opportunities on
solvent markets, both domestic and abroad.
For several years now, Senegalese agriculture has been engaged in a major diversification policy, focused more
specifically on the development and promotion of export crops.
Today, thanks to the modernization and diversification of production, Senegal has since 2006, registered a regular
increase in the volume and diversification of the line of products and markets of destination. Thus, Senegalese
horticultural products are constantly present on export markets.
It has been established that there are investment opportunities for private investors in the modernization of
agricultural practices, infrastructural platform (post-harvest facilities, cold chains, etc.), and marketing.
Export horticulture, for example, has manifold advantages, namely a wide range of opportunities in clearly identified
niches and the possibility of engaging in the production of different varieties of fruits and vegetables throughout
the year. Sweet corn, in particular, has become one of the country’s main export products with cherry tomatoes and
melon, which have also grown exponentially with a broader sales window.
Another line of export products that is currently untapped in Senegal are cut flowers and decorative foliage.
• a convenient geographical situation in relation to key export markets
• a very favourable oceanic climate on the coastal strip of the country (Littoral and River Senegal valley)
conducive to off-season farming
• several types of soils adapted to cereal and horticultural crops.
• immense water potential that is yet to be tapped in certain areas of the country, with 4 million ha of arable
land equivalent to 385 ha for 1000 inhabitants against the world average of 86 ha for 1000 inhabitants.
• 35 billion m3 of renewable surface water and 4 billion m3 of underground water
• a renewed interest for products of Senegalese origin such as melon, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, green
beans, mango, sweetcorn, etc.