Of Senegal's nearly 13 million citizens, over three-quarters work in the agricultural sector, yet the country relies on imports for 70 percent of its food supply-a rate higher than any other country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most crops produced in Senegal have difficulty making it to market, if they ever do. The country's agricultural products also remain uncompetitive vis-a-vis foreign alternatives, both for local consumption and international trade.
To achieve Senegal's overriding goal of food security and poverty eradication, reforms must promote high levels of technical skill and enhanced knowledge across every important agricultural value chain. These include the proper use of quality seed, pesticide, and fertilizer; expanded use of irrigation and water management practices; the ability of farmers to enter the formal sector as cooperative or processing enterprises; the ability of agricultural enterprises to obtain credit and outside investment, as well as to use written supply contracts; the management of post-harvest loss; and compliance with quality standards that represent key conditions for export. The goal also requires widespread understanding of how regional and international institutions, such as the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) or the World Trade Organization (WTO), create both opportunities and obligations for Senegal with respect to building its commerce in agriculture.
To the extent that there are ongoing reforms in conditions for "doing business" in the agricultural sector-that is, for the pursuit of economic activity arising chiefly from domestic production of food and other agricultural resources-the country will experience greater productivity, entrepreneurial opportunity, and wealth creation-all of which drive long-term food security.
| Key Development Data & Statistics |
Year |
Latest Data |
| GDP (current US$) (billions) |
2008 |
60,587 |
| GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$) |
2008 |
8,613 |
| Population, total (millions) |
2008 |
6,692 |
| Population growth (annual %) |
2008 |
1.2 |
| Exports (current US$) (billions) |
2008 |
1.983 |
| Imports (current US$) (billions) |
2008 |
4.313 |
Top Exports: fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products
|
Top Imports: food stuffs, machinery and equipment, steel
|
|
|
Source: World Bank Group 2009, CIA World Factbook 2009
For additional economic indicators, please visit the World Bank's "
Private Sector at a Glance."
