During a recent Council of Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko focused discussions on the strategic preparations for Senegal’s 2026-2027 winter agricultural campaign. While commending the commendable efforts of national institutions like the Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA) and Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS) in producing certified seeds and fertilizers, the head of government offered an unvarnished assessment of the sector. He pinpointed persistent, significant structural weaknesses that continue to impede the Executive’s overarching objective of achieving comprehensive food sovereignty.
 

Addressing seed autonomy, credit access, and urgent storage infrastructure needs

Among the critical issues highlighted by the Prime Minister are the recurring shortage in seed autonomy, quality inconsistencies observed during the previous agricultural season, systemic failures in producer targeting, and significant barriers to accessing agricultural credit. Ousmane Sonko also drew attention to inadequate maintenance of farming equipment and a glaring lack of sufficient storage facilities nationwide.

To rectify distribution discrepancies and eliminate the diversion of agricultural inputs, he mandated an accelerated digitalization of the sector, drawing lessons from the successful outcomes achieved in pilot regions such as Tivaouane and Nioro. Pending a comprehensive overhaul of agricultural subsidies, government agencies are tasked with rigorously ensuring cost transparency and the effective, nationwide distribution of essential inputs.