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Senegal produces half the rice it consumes
Wednesday, 12 January 2011 20:20
AFP - Senegal now produces at least half of the rice it consumes, director general of the Senegal River Valley National
Development Agency, Mamoudou Deme was quoted as saying in state media Wednesday."We rarely reached 150,000 tonnes of paddy rice (unmilled) annually. Today we are at least at 350,000 tonnes," the director told pro-government newspaper Le Soleil.
"At least half of what we consume in rice is produced in Senegal and 80 percent comes from the Senegal River Valley," in the north of the country, said Deme.
In 2008 Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade launched the Grand Agricultural Offensive for Food Security (GOANA) seeking to double rice production and increase maize and manioc yield in the west African nation.
The initiative's figures are however challenged by producer's organisations and agricultural specialists.
Senegal remains a huge consumer of rice imported from Asia which is a staple of traditional meals such as "ceebu jen" (rice with fish).
Deme lauded assistance provided by "French cooperation, the Arab countries, South Korea and Japan who injected billions (of CFA Francs) into the valley for a quantitative and qualitative improvement of production," according to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).
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Comments
Credit must be given where it is due. What is more honorable than one serving their purpose! A government is meaningless if it can't give its electorate the basic needs of life, food being funamental. Forget about everything else if we can't settle food issue.
I think it all boils down to prioritising. Our governments, especially in Gambia, spend money in some insiginificant projects money which could make substential difference in the agriculture sector. THis brings us back to the point of good leadership.
In my opinion tackling food scarcity, providing security and freedom of movement of goods, sound fiscal and monetary policies are the bedrock to Africa's future.
In the United States and much of Europe, food is not an issue of daily discourse for most families whereas in Africa especially Gambia and Senegal, heads of the household have to make sure “fish money” is on the table every day. You take that out of the equation, provide free movement of goods and people, ensure security, create sound fiscal and monetary policies which include curbing with corruption, voila! Africa is open for business.
I commend President Wade although there is a lot of work to be done in alleviating poverty among other things in Senegal. We give credit where it is due and I salute you Mr. President.
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