Since 1979, IFAD and the
Government of Senegal have been working together to eradicate rural poverty in
the country. As such numerous agricultural and pastoral innovations have been
introduced. They helped to increase
production and supported the shift from subsistence agriculture to market
production. The IFAD portfolio contains many examples of technical innovations
emerging from experiences in other countries that were reproduced in Senegal.
At local level, the projects in the portfolio encouraged producer organizations
and decentralized government services to adopt the innovations. Following a
value chain approach, IFAD-supported projects have contributed to reducing food
insecurity, increasing incomes and creating jobs, especially of women and young
people. 
IFAD and the Government of
Senegal realize that it is now time to capitalize and scale up the innovations
that have been piloted with the support from IFAD. As a first step, two events
have been organised to share the results and best practices from IFAD supported
projects in Senegal and to see how innovations can be scaled up: on 9 and 10
February 2015 a national workshop was held in Dakar bringing together all
national stakeholders and on 17 February 2015 a seminar was organised during
IFAD’s 38th Governing Council for a broader audience.
The innovations and best
practices are plentiful. Some examples are:
Inclusion of young
people: PAFA has been using an innovative targeting approach to create jobs
for rural youth. They are encouraging local sports and cultural associations to
prepare proposals in order to obtain project support. Forty-five associations
are being assisted by the Project in terms of financial support and
capacity-building. As a result, more than 4,000 young women and men are now
involved in agriculture related practices. This has allowed them to turn into
successful agricultural entrepreneurs. PAFA is providing young women and men
with both decent work and livelihood options in their rural communities, so
they can remain there if they choose.
Value chain roundtables:
PAFA has set up four value chain roundtables (millet/sorghum, cowpea, sesame
and hibiscus), bringing together key value chain actors and offering a space
for dialogue. The roundtables are responsible for the following activities: (i)
increased seed production to ensure members have access to certified seed; (Ii)
the dissemination of the market prices; (Iii)
dissemination of information on rainfall; (iv)
commercial and financial intermediation between producers and buyers; (v)
the establishment of an internal control system the quality; (Vii)
dispute resolution between producers and buyers.
Decreasing input
subsidies: PAFA provides farmers’ organisations with subsidies to acquire
quality inputs (certified seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment). The
financial support last three years and decreases over the years: 80% in year 1,
60% in year 2 and 40% in year 3. The model allows: (i) to facilitate access of
small producers to markets at remunerative prices, (ii) to ensure that small
farmers have access to quality inputs, (iii) to ensure buyers get the required
quality and quantity; (iv) to empower farmers’ organisations in the area of access
to inputs; (v) to strengthen rural enterprises and their capacity to mobilize
the savings of beneficiary households.
Improved village poultry:
PAFA has developed a holistic approach to village poultry, which has proven to
be extremely successful. The characteristics of the model are: (i) setting up
farmers’ groups in a transparent and inclusive manner; (ii) technical training
tailored to the needs of the beneficiaries, especially women; (iii) close
technical follow-up provided by local extensionists; (iv) construction of
henhouse with local material as a shelter during the night; (v) breeding local
chickens that are adapted to the environment and farming conditions; (vi)
vaccination and other preventive measures; (vii) production of feed by the beneficiaries
themselves using local ingredients.
Promoting local consumption:
To promote the consumption of local products, PAFA has trained more than 800
women and young girls in processing and cooking techniques using local cereals.
Furthermore, hotel and restaurant owners have been sensitized to introduce
dishes prepared with local products in their menus.
