Dakar (UNA-OIC) – Senegalese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Equipment of Senegal Moussa Balde has said his country seeks to produce 80 percent of its food needs by the coming winter season, to ensure the achievement of food sovereignty within a few years because it has become more necessary than ever.
The Senegalese minister said in a statement that in order to face the disruption of the grain marketing system caused by the coronavirus pandemic that has afflicted the global economy, the only way out is to ensure food sovereignty.
Balde also stressed Senegal’s endeavor to cultivate 50,000 hectares during the next season, in order to produce 300,000 tons of rice. He added that with the help of Mauritania, Senegal has put an aircraft at the disposal of rice producers on the bank of the Senegal River, to help them fight against the grain-eating birds.
The Senegalese minister announced that 1.2 billion CFA francs from the Response and Solidarity Fund against the effects of COVID-19, will be earmarked for the purchase of 19 harvesting machines.
AB/UNA-OIC
