La Minute FARM #1 | Livestock, Crops and Soil Fertility in the Senegal River Valley
The FARM Foundation went on a mission to Senegal in early July as part of a project co-financed with the French Development Agency to better understand soil fertility issues in West Africa. In the Senegal River Valley, very close to Mauritania, we met breeders, including young girls who came to learn about breeding and plant production practices, on a pilot farm the Shepherd's Dairy.
Three observations on the complementarity between livestock farming, crops and soil fertility, observed during the mission:
· Herds and crops are difficult to share access to land, water and crop residues.
· Organic matter, essential for agriculture available lack on rice or market garden plots.
· Despite the importance of breeding, local milk collection remains very low and Senegal is heavily dependent on imports.
What solutions are being implemented locally?
As explained Matthew Brun, Scientific Director of FARM:
"We discussed here with breeders, with teachers, with trainers from the Laiterie du Berger, on how we could improve and increase the productivity of livestock farms. To be able to produce more Senegalese dairy products, and participate in the economic development of rural areas."
La Laiterie du Berger improves animal genetics and develops artificial insemination campaigns, using semen from bulls of more productive breeds (Norman for example), in order to improve the genetics of the animals and increase their milk yield. Cattle feed at a preferential price is also provided to breeders during the dry season, when fodder resources are limited, thus allowing breeders to maintain regular milk production.
To remember
Soil fertility in the Senegal River Valley is essential for the country's food sovereigntyIt is based on the complementarity between livestock and crops, each activity enriching the other. While it is becoming more difficult for producers to access land, water and organic matter, on-the-ground support and the transmission of know-how remain essential to preserve local agriculture.
We thank the Laiterie du Berger and all the actors on site for their welcome.
