Back to the Roots and Unveiling Opportunities in Mont Rolland
One must travel about sixty kilometers east of Dakar to reach the Thiès region, a significant area that alone accounts for over 12% of Senegal's agricultural households, — the highest among all regions nationwide. As you delve deeper into the rural lands, you come across an astonishing commune evangelized in the 19th century: Mont Rolland. It is a rural community comprised of around twenty villages and fifteen hamlets, home to nearly 20,000 inhabitants.
Amidst a vibrant center with its small businesses, the residential streets are tranquil, adorned by numerous fields. It is in one of these fields that Anne-Marie Ciss has been working for the past three years. Anne-Marie, a biology engineer turned agricultural entrepreneur, settled in her parents' village after living and studying in Dakar.
"The big cities are congested. The younger generation may not realize it, but boundless opportunities await in rural settings. Moreover, the quality of life is better. We need to step out of the cities. If everyone becomes a merchant, how will the country develop? Things need to change!"
Anne-Marie Ciss, Biology Engineer and Agricultural Entrepreneur from Senegal
On several hundred square meters of land that she acquired, the young woman has established a small organic farm. There, she runs her vegetable and fruit nursery, cultivating various crops and spices. Surprised by the immediate success of her venture and the demand it garnered, Anne-Marie decided to diversify her activities. She now offers advice and assistance to other producers and will soon sell seeds in the small shop she is building near her field.
"I want to show the youth, especially women, that we can succeed in agriculture. It's never easy, but we can make it. I believe that with very little, we can change things, mindsets, and systems. Today, I am fulfilled," proclaims the young woman with enthusiasm.
Despite the country's annual population growth of 2 to 3%, according to Anne-Marie Ciss, a paradigm shift is underway. It is no longer solely about producing in quantity but producing better, with high-quality products, and fostering a short supply chain between the producer and the consumer... and why not self-production? Mont Rolland could then be the perfect place to launch and sustain this trend.
A Community Farm and Concrete Results
Urban exodus as an opportunity for local agriculture and for the youth—another native of Mont Rolland fully grasps this concept. François Diouf firmly believes that agribusiness holds the key to the future for the youth, not only within his commune but throughout the entire nation.
Pooling their resources, François and a group of like-minded friends established a cooperative farm spanning five hectares of communal land. They cultivate products destined for the local market, such as tomatoes, okra, and chillies, as well as green beans for export, particularly to the European market. The entire operation is irrigated using a solar-powered system.
In 2022, François and his 19 colleagues produced over 200 tons of vegetables, half of which were green beans—an accomplishment that fills the farmer with pride.
"Thanks to our solidarity-based model, we have improved our annual yields despite the challenges posed by the effects of climate change. All revenues are shared equitably, allowing everyone to meet their needs and those of their families"
François Diouf, Farmer & President of GIE Khabaranta
This is a challenge that the group's president has already overcome, aiming to combat rural exodus among the youth and emigration to Western countries through this project.
"Here, our land is an abundant source of wealth. Agriculture is a noble profession, and this is what we must comprehend. And besides, the population is increasing, with more mouths to feed. It's an opportunity for all of us," he emphasizes.
Agriculture remains a source of income for at least 60% of the Senegalese population and contributed to over 15% of the GDP in 2021. With abundant water resources and a significant amount of arable land conducive to agricultural production, the country has been able to rely on a wide range of agricultural products, both food crops and industrial goods, for its domestic market and for export.
Agriculture: A Cornerstone of the UNDP's Pilot Project
In Mont Rolland, the proliferating agricultural projects are celebrated as they resonate with the authorities and international organizations. Several young people are thus supported through funding from the UNDP in this rural commune, where agribusiness serves as a driving force for development.
This achievement has brought tremendous satisfaction to Francois Samb, another native of Mont Rolland, who has become a dedicated community volunteer for the UNDP, assigned to the region.
"Investing in rural areas allows young people to benefit from the potential they offer. The youth are achieving tangible results. Sometimes, we organize forums and meetings, inviting the young people from Mont Rolland who live in Dakar to show them what the city has become and what they can gain by returning. We present them with programs in which they could participate and reap benefits," explains François.
A tailor-made program, human-scale, with tangible successes that, following the conclusions of this experimental phase, could be replicated in numerous other communities in Sahel countries.
Locations
