Horticulture
High-value vegetable and fruit production for domestic and regional markets.
Senegal
Overview
Senegal’s economy is heavily based on agriculture, which employs about 22 percent of the labor force and is central to rural livelihoods. Despite its agricultural potential, smallholder farmers face erratic weather patterns, limited climate information, low mechanization, poor access to financing, and outdated farming methods. More than 60 percent of the population is under 25, and informal employment dominates—95 percent of workers aged 15–29 were informally employed in 2019.
Since 2022, growth has slowed due to unfavorable rainfall, global economic shocks, and inflationary pressures linked to rising commodity prices. Once considered one of Africa’s most stable democracies, Senegal has also experienced political unrest, compounding financial hardship. Over 35 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, highlighting the urgency of local solutions that secure food stability, generate jobs, and strengthen climate resilience.
Strategic Value Chains
Heifer began work in Senegal in 2007 under the Inter Senegal Mission (MIS) and became a registered NGO in 2010. Since then, it has impacted more than 215,251 families nationwide, with a 2030 goal of enabling 200,000 households to achieve a sustainable living income.
Active project areas span 10 regions: Fatick, Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda, Kolda, Sédhiou, Thiès, Louga, Saint-Louis, and Diourbel.
Dairy
Modern milk production systems connecting farmers to processors and markets.
Small Ruminants icon Small Ruminants
Goat and sheep farming systems for meat, milk, and income diversification.
Poultry
Integrated chicken production creating jobs and enhancing nutrition security.
Grains & Cereals
Diversified crops (millet, maize, sorghum, sesame, groundnut, cowpea) to enhance food security and income opportunities.
The Senegal Signature Program
Featured Projects
Climate Services for Increased Resilience and Productivity (CSRP)
Goal: Strengthen the resilience of 50,000 families through access to climate information, extension services, and improved production systems.
Areas: Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda, Sédhiou, Thiès, Diourbel, Louga.
Achievements:
- 9,282 producers received climate forecast messages.
- 2,835 producers accessed market information services.
- 3,148 producers trained in good practices.
- 62 women-led community perimeters established.
- 32 videos, manuals, and a digital training platform developed.
Solar-Powered Irrigation Pump Lease Financing
Partners: Association of Mayors of Senegal, Ministry of Livestock and Animal Production.
Goal: Enable 121,410 sheep farming households in 10 regions to achieve sustainable living incomes by 2026.
Achievements:
- 110 municipalities engaged.
- 5,111 households selected.
- 461 ewes purchased and insured.
- 138 breeding rams distributed across 34 communes.
- 1,500 kg of fodder seeds distributed.
- 8 sheepfolds built; 170 CAVEs identified.
MELITEJI WASU (Dairy Value Chain)
Strengthening dairy farmers’ access to modern production, processing, and markets, building resilience and nutrition security in northern Senegal.
Nutrition Enhancement Program (KAYRA “Prosperity”)
Focus: Reducing malnutrition and improving food security for 25,000 vulnerable households in Sédhiou.
Achievements:
- 23,531 households impacted.
- 101 local steering committees established.
- Distribution of goats and poultry, generating thousands of eggs and chicks for nutrition and income.
Goal: Strengthen the resilience of 50,000 families through access to climate information, extension services, and improved production systems.
Areas: Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda, Sédhiou, Thiès, Diourbel, Louga.
Achievements:
- 9,282 producers received climate forecast messages.
- 2,835 producers accessed market information services.
- 3,148 producers trained in good practices.
- 62 women-led community perimeters established.
- 32 videos, manuals, and a digital training platform developed.
Downloads
News
Heifer International calls for stronger local partnerships to transform agriculture in Africa Dakar
Heifer International at Africa Food Systems Forum 2025
Unleashing Youth Agency in Africa’s AgTech Transformation: The Time is Now
Partners
- Government of Senegal (National Nutrition Development Council, Association of Mayors, Ministry of Livestock)
- Mastercard Foundation
- Laiterie du Berger (LDB)
- AAJAC CoLuFiFa
- FEPROMAS
- ONG NDEM
- ARLS/DES
- REPMIL
- SAPCA-EGAS
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Women and Family
- Ministry of Communication, local communes
“Access to climate information provided by Heifer was our biggest asset during the crop season… Now with the tons of harvested products, we are here to give back to our community."
Contact Heifer in Senegal
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