Senegal allocates US$13M for potato seed subsidies in 2025/2026

SENEGAL – Senegal has approved 7.3 billion CFA francs (about US$12.8 million), to support its potato seed subsidy program for the 2025/2026 horticultural season.

The announcement came through a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday, November 10, during the official launch of the campaign.

The Ministry stated that the fund will go toward purchasing 20,000 tonnes of certified potato seed at competitive prices for farmers. The stock will include 11,348 tonnes of imported seed, 7,000 tonnes produced locally, 1,000 tonnes of elite and super-elite seed, and 500,000 vitro-plants for propagation.

“This initiative will allow more farmers to access high-quality seeds and increase yields across the country,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture during the launch.

The allocation marks an increase from the previous season, when the government financed 18,346 tonnes of seed. This rise signals a strong push to grow the potato sub-sector, which is one of the most active parts of Senegal’s horticulture industry. Potatoes rank second only to onions among the country’s key vegetable crops.

Production growth and sector goals

Senegal’s potato sector reached a record 250,000 tonnes of production at the end of the 2024/2025 campaign. According to data from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography, production had not crossed the 200,000-tonne mark before that, averaging 151,180 tonnes between 2019/2020 and 2023/2024.

“We are building on last season’s success and aiming to maintain momentum,” said an official at the National Horticulture Directorate. “Expanding local seed production will help reduce dependency on imports and ensure stability for growers.”

By increasing both the quality and quantity of available seeds, the government hopes to improve productivity and strengthen the value chain for local farmers.

Broader agricultural developments

The potato initiative is part of a wider agricultural plan aimed at improving food security and supporting farmers through subsidies, better infrastructure, and improved access to agricultural inputs. Recently, the government also confirmed ongoing talks with private sector partners to expand storage capacity and processing facilities for horticultural crops.

“We want to ensure that local farmers not only grow more but also earn more from their produce,” noted the Ministry’s statement.

With this latest allocation, Senegal reaffirms its commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening its horticultural base as a key contributor to national food production and economic growth.

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