(Ecofin Agency) - Rice self-sufficiency in Senegal will not be achieved in 2017 as initially planned but in 2019 rather. This was reported by APS, quoting President Macky Sall.

While recognizing the additional efforts that will be needed to achieve the output of 1.6 million tons of paddy rice that will insure self-sufficiency, the leader however mentioned some positive indicators. 

Among these, the 15% increase of rice output this year to 1.1 million, against 950,779 tons last year. 

Yet, it must be noted that the country is still far from the 62% increase it recorded between 2014 and 2015, where its rice output had soared from 559,021 tons to 906,348 tons.  

“I am convinced that with the acceleration programme for Senegal’s agriculture (PRACAS) and our new reforms, we will do it,” M. Sall said.

Let’s recall that Senegal’s government bets on irrigated and rain-fed rice-farming systems to achieve the self-sufficiency it targets.

Espoir Olodo