Senegal launches advanced greenhouse to strengthen dryland crop research
The facility aims to speed up crop breeding and boost food security across West and Central Africa.
SENEGAL – Senegal has inaugurated a modern greenhouse at the ISRA–CNRA research station in Bambey, marking a significant step in advancing research for dryland crops.
The government collaborated with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and CGIAR partners to commission the 1,384 m² facility, designed to accelerate breeding and improve resilience in key cereals and legumes.
The greenhouse comprises six independent, fully controlled compartments and supports up to four rapid generation cycles annually. This setup allows researchers to deliver improved crop varieties to farmers faster than before.
His Excellency, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, alongside regional authorities and representatives from ISRA, AfricaRice, GIZ, and CORAF, attended the inauguration.
Baloua Nebie, CIMMYT Country Representative in Senegal, speaking on behalf of Director General Bram Govaerts, said, “This facility represents a decisive step forward for scientific innovation, food sovereignty, and the resilience of agricultural systems in Africa. It will enable researchers to develop solutions to crop diseases and climate-related threats with unprecedented speed and efficiency.”
Boosting regional crop research
The greenhouse will advance research in phytopathology and plant breeding, enabling scientists to screen crops for major diseases such as anthracnose, downy mildew, and rosette disease.
Target crops include sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, cowpea, rice, maize, sesame, and fonio. By producing precise and reliable data, the facility will accelerate the release of disease-resistant and climate-resilient varieties, benefiting millions of rural households.
The greenhouse also functions as a training center for students and early-career researchers, enhancing local scientific expertise in modern breeding techniques and plant health management.
It forms part of the Crops to End Hunger initiative, coordinated by CIMMYT and CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow Science Program, with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ.
Germany invested USD 1.99 million in the Bambey station, including installing a modern irrigation system, acquiring advanced breeding equipment, developing digital tools, and mechanizing breeding cycles.
A regional hub for agriculture innovation
The Bambey facility connects breeding programs in nine West and Central African countries, producing 150–200 crosses per crop each year and generating over 1,000 improved lines for regional testing.
Nebie added, “The success of this greenhouse relies on shared responsibility and long-term sustainability. Senegal is now positioned as a regional hub for crop improvement and agricultural innovation.”
The facility will provide higher yields, improved drought and disease resilience, and enhanced nutritional quality. It also creates income opportunities for women and youth, particularly through groundnut value chains.
To ensure sustainability, the greenhouse employs solar-powered pumps, drip irrigation, and soil management practices, demonstrating Senegal’s commitment to strengthening regional food security and advancing scientific research.
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