Unlocking the potential of the Sahel’s farmers, young people and businesses 

The Sahel is home to a young, entrepreneurial population, diverse agricultural systems and significant opportunities to grow its livestock and dairy sectors. With the right investment, skills, finance and market connections, these sectors can create jobs, increase incomes and contribute to stronger local food economies. 

Heifer Africa is working with farmers, young people, women, businesses, governments and local organisations to help unlock this potential. 

Through the Sahel Dairy Program, we are strengthening dairy and livestock value chains across Senegal, Mali, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, with a focus on creating economic opportunities and enabling rural communities to build sustainable livelihoods. 

Our approach 

The programme focuses on strengthening the people, businesses and systems that make agricultural value chains work. We work with smallholder farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), local organisations, governments and private-sector partners to: 

• Improve farmers’ access to markets, services, finance and productive resources. 

• Create employment and enterprise opportunities for young people and women. 

• Strengthen dairy and livestock production and related businesses. 

• Support agricultural practices that improve productivity and help farmers respond to changing conditions. 

• Build stronger connections between farmers, businesses, service providers and other market actors. 

Key areas of focus 

Creating opportunities for young people and women 

The Sahel’s young population presents a significant opportunity for the future of agriculture. 

The programme supports young people and women to participate in dairy and livestock value chains as farmers, entrepreneurs, service providers and employees. This includes access to skills, finance, productive resources and market opportunities. 

By expanding these opportunities, the programme aims to help more young people, particularly young women, build viable livelihoods in agriculture and related businesses. 

Strengthening dairy and livestock value chains 

Dairy and livestock are important parts of rural economies across the programme countries. Yet farmers and businesses need access to the right services, markets, finance and infrastructure to grow. 

Heifer works with value chain actors to strengthen these connections, from farmers and producer organisations to businesses, service providers and markets. 

This approach helps create opportunities not only for producers, but also for the wider network of businesses and service providers that support agricultural production. 

Working through local partnerships 

Lasting change is more likely when solutions are shaped and owned locally. 

The Sahel Dairy Program therefore works through local organisations, Farmer Producer Organizations, government institutions, private-sector businesses and other partners. These organisations bring knowledge of their communities and markets and play an important role in delivering and sustaining programme results. 

Heifer’s role is to bring together expertise, investment and partnerships that can help these local systems grow. 

Programme targets

The consortium aims to create 130,000 jobs by 2029, with Heifer contributing 50,000 jobs through its livestock component, including 35,000 for young women.

Our partners 

The Sahel Dairy Program brings together international, national and local partners to strengthen the dairy and livestock sectors. 

Partners include: 

• Mastercard Foundation 

• La Laiterie du Berger 

• FAM Advisory 

• Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock and relevant agencies 

• Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MIRAH), Côte d’Ivoire 

• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAGEL), Niger 

• Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et Pastorales du Sénégal (RESOPP) 

• Local organisations and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) 

Partner with us

The potential of the Sahel’s agricultural economy is significant. Realising that potential requires collaboration across communities, governments, businesses, farmer organisations and development partners.