(Ecofin Agency) - On a tour in the North of Senegal since March 5th, President Macky Sall advised rural land owners of the region to let investors valorize their properties. The leader was in this case addressing the people of Mbane, in the department of Dagana, where he commissioned cold storages at the Senegindia farm.

Well aware of the uneasiness that foreign investment in the African agricultural sector cause over the continent, M. Sall still believes the risk it poses is worth taking.

A view that he firmly believes in given that he intends to impose the acceptation of foreign investment by locals as a pre-requisite for awarding or leasing them lands.

“We must facilitate the implementation of agricultural development programmes. It is no use leaving lands unused while they could be valorized by willing investors. You will not be forced to anything, not under my rule at least. However, do not hinder development. This is the time for emergence,” said the president.

Souha Touré