Agricultural researchers in Senegal are harvesting a trial crop of locally-adapted wheat in an effort to reduce dependence on imports. Wheat is the second-most consumed cereal after rice in Senegal, but the country imports all 800,000 tons it consumes each year. The country’s tropical climate is not naturally suited to growing wheat, but researchers at the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research have been trialling four varieties of the cereal on an experimental site. While the Minister for Agriculture, Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, acknowledged the challenge of a lack of water for irrigation, he also noted the country’s potential for wheat cultivation.
Agricultural researchers in Senegal have started harvesting an experimental crop of local wheat, adapted to the country’s climatic conditions, the latest stage in a project started several years ago to try to reduce dependence on imports.
The second most consumed cereal after rice, wheat is an important part of the diet in this bread-loving West African country. But Senegal, like many of its neighbours, depends entirely on foreign countries: it imports 800,000 tons of cereals a year.
Its tropical climate is in principle not suitable for growing wheat, but acclimatization trials are underway.
Since the end of last week, researchers from the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA) have been harvesting four varieties of wheat on an experimental plot in Sangalkam, 35 km from Dakar.
Three of these varieties come from Egypt, a fourth was developed by the Institute, which has tested hundreds of wheat varieties, Amadou Tidiane Sall, one of the Institute’s researchers, told AFP.
Agriculture Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye visited the plot earlier this month. He said he requested Egyptian seeds during a visit to the North African country for the UN climate conference (COP27) in November.
“We have significant potential,” said the minister during his visit. However, he acknowledged that the lack of water to irrigate crops was a big challenge.
Amadou Gaye, the president of the National Bakers Federation of Senegal, which represents some 2,500 bakeries in the country, told AFP that he would prefer resources to be devoted to the production of local cereals such as millet, maize or sorghum.
The experimental crop of wheat in Senegal brings hope to reducing the country’s dependence on imports and improving its food security. Although the lack of water for irrigation remains a major challenge, researchers are committed to finding solutions and adapting the crop to the country’s climatic conditions. While some may prefer local cereals like millet, maize, or sorghum, the cultivation of wheat presents another opportunity for agricultural development and self-sufficiency in Senegal. We will continue to follow this project with interest and hope for its success.