The Senegalese government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock (MASAE) and its Directorate of Horticulture, has executed a key strategic initiative to underpin the nation’s food security objectives. MASAE officials were on hand at the Dakar Autonomous Port to officially receive a container of certified seed potatoes, a crucial consignment marking the commencement of the 2025–2026 horticultural campaign. This action is a direct reflection of the national agricultural policy spearheaded by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who have emphatically placed food sovereignty at the forefront of the country’s economic and welfare strategy.
For this vital campaign, the government has mobilized an unprecedented volume of over 20,000 tons of subsidized certified seeds. This total includes 11,348 tons of imported seeds, complemented by a substantial 7,000 tons of local seed stock, alongside 1,000 tons of elite and super-elite varieties, and 500,000 vitro plants dedicated to reproduction. The state has committed a financial package exceeding 7.3 billion FCFA (EUR 11.13 million) to ensure farmers nationwide can access these high-quality seeds at commercially competitive and accessible prices, thereby supporting a robust and sustainable revitalization of Senegal’s horticultural sector. This strategic investment underlines the administration’s commitment to creating a modern and resilient agricultural base.
The Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Mabouba Diagne, also took the opportunity to acknowledge the government’s strong political commitment, highlighted by a record 130 billion FCFA (EUR 198 million) budget earmarked for horticulture. Furthermore, MASAE noted the exemplary operational efficiency of the Ministry of Finance and Public Treasury, confirming that 94.3% of all invoices owed to seed potato suppliers had been settled as of November 7. The Ministry also commended the Dakar Autonomous Port, noting its international recognition as the most efficient in Africa and the productive collaboration demonstrated by its Director-General and DP World representatives during the logistical preparations and reception ceremony. This campaign serves as a public demonstration of a results-oriented and transparent approach to agricultural transformation in Senegal.
