Import substitution sectors
The major hydro-agricultural projects carried out by the SAED in the Senegal River Valley allow for an intensive cultivation of rice, which is the staple food for the majority of Senegalese, and is unfortunately dependent on imports. Rice imports reached 824,000 tonnes for a cost, insurance and freight value of CFA Francs 118 billion for 2003. The import-substitution policy planned by authorities, to curb this trend, which is burdening the trade balance, offers many investment opportunities in this sector. The same could be applied to the cultivation of carrots and potatoes. Production techniques are continually being improved which should allow for a susbtantial decrease of imports estimated at USD40 million every year.

Industries processing agricultural products provide investment opportunities that could help curb imports.

The programme for the development of agricultural markets
In cooperation with the World Bank, the government is planning to set up an integrated programme for the development of agricultural markets over 5 years, aimed at accelerating growth within the agricultural sector and at contributing to poverty alleviation. This programme should help set up an enabling environment for private investment, through:

• support to the development of horticultural exports;
• improvement of the conditions of market operation;
• support to agribusiness producers and operators for a better adaptation of products to the market;
• development of private irrigation and land-related activities.

Agriculture, in which 70% of the Senegalese population takes an active interest, is central to the country’s development. Cereal production is estimated at 1 466 000 t for 2003, which indicates a development in this sector, particularly in corn production (more than 500,000t) and the « niebe » - Senegalese dry bean variety- (70,000t). Senegal has around 437,000 agricultural exploitations for 1 900,000 hectares. In addition to the improvement of its main cultures (groundnut, millet, rice, sorgho…), Senegal is currently diversifying and promoting its products. Senegal has around 437,000 agricultural enterprises for 1,900,000 hectares.
Senegal has become a leading exporter of cherry tomatoes (3,500t per year). The authorities are also planning to conquer the markets of extra fine green bean, basil, green asparagus, onions, potatoes and aubergines …
Senegal has also invested in the cotton market. During the 2000-2001 campaign, production increased from 14,000 t to 36,000 t, one year later, and finally reached 55,000 t in 2003.

For several years, particularly in the 1970s, Senegal was the world leading groundnut producer.
The groundnut belt includes the regions of Diourbel, Kaolack and Casamance. Major state-owned companies, managed by SONACOS (the national company for the marketing of oil-producing plants) are established in those regions.
The Senegalese state has started withdrawing itself gradually from the groundnut market, on recommendation of the World Bank. The privatisation of SONACOS (trituration of groundnuts, oil and oilseed cake production) is planned for 2004.

Comparative advantages
• A stable climate favourable to off-season cultures.
Constant sunshine in winter with temperatures between 25-30°C in daytime and 17-22°C at night
• Proximity with the European and American export markets:
within 6 hours by plane from the main European destinations;
within 6 days by boat from Europe;
Efficient maritime liaisons;
Modern port installations;
• agricultural know-how that is becoming more and more renowned
• 240,000 Ha of available irrigable land

Opportunities
• Production of fruit and vegetables: cherry tomatoes, mangoes, melons, okra, peppers ,onions, potatoes, etc..
• Production, packaging and marketing of input and agricultural equipment
• Industry of packaging
• Management of the infrastructures for preservation
• Transportation services
• Financial services
• Advice in agronomy and quality
• Research and development
• Processing industry

Chemicals and agribusiness make up the biggest part of the Senegalese industry, in terms of turnover.
Senegal is the only Francophone West African country, which has managed to create a local tomato processing industry that includes the various production stages.
Two industries produce tomato concentrate: the « Société de conserves alimentaires au Sénégal » (SOCAS, the « Moulins Sentenac » group) and the « Société nationale de tomates industrielles » (SNTI). Around 30, 000 t of tomatoes are processed every year..

The cultivation of this vegetable has been made possible thanks to the technical support of an agricultural mission from Taïwan, which is the world’s first asparagus exporter.
Asparagus, which is mainly cultivated in the market gardening zone of the Niayes is nurtured by around 90 producers over thirty hectares, with 7 to 8 tonnes yielded per hectare.
Hotels, restaurants, and a handful of well-to-do families are the main customers of the asparagus producers, who are joined in economic interest groups for the marketing of this vegetable.
Part of the harvest is also exported to France and the Netherlands.
Asparagus is a sustainable culture which allows for two or three harvests per year.
Hydro agricultural facilities
The building of two major dams on the Senegal River (north of Senegal) has made it possible to irrigate more than 300,000 hectares of fertile land. The hydro agricultural facilities on the Gambia River have made it possible to have 100,000 hectares of irrigable land.

In order to promote irrigated agriculture, major hydro agricultural facilities have been carried out, namely:
The anti-salt dam of AFIGNAM, in Casamance ;
The anti-salt dam of DIAMA ;

The freight station
This is currently being built and should help increase the export of high quality fresh produce, that could generate income for Senegalese producers.

Feltiplex
This is a packaging centre for collective use, whose purpose is to help exporters preserve the quality of their products.

Through its variety of produce (meat, milk, eggs, honey…), the breeding sector helps reduce substantially the food deficit, and also helps fight against malnutrition, and increases the income of breeders. The pastoral population is estimated at 3 million people, comprising 350,000 families involved in that sector. The value-added of the breeding sector has contributed to 7% of the GDP.

The whole of the grazing cattle (bovines, ovines and goats) is estimated at 10,960,000 head of cattle. The poultry has increased by 12.5%, now reaching 20,342,000 units (traditional poultry farming makes up the major part of these figures, followed by industrial poultry farming).

Milk production: the national milk production is estimated at 110 million litres. The main part of the production is provided by traditional breeding, and therefore does not meet the national demand, because of the genetic and food constraints, which limit the production by local cows. The gap is filled up through the import of milk and milk products, which are very expensive: around 30 billion FCFA annually (after the CFA Franc devaluation). The volume of exports amounted to 20,879 t.