African nations implement agricultural reforms to boost food security and growth

Gabon and Senegal are implementing distinct strategies to modernize their agricultural sectors and bolster economic growth.

In Gabon, Minister of Agriculture Pacôme Kossy has outlined a plan to increase the sector's contribution to the GDP, which currently stands at 5%. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by connecting producers to markets and managing the entire value chain. A key component is the Poultry Emergency Operational Plan (POUFA), which supports 150 farms across nine provinces. Notably, the government intends to end imports of broiler chickens by January 1, 2027, requiring domestic producers to meet national demand in volume and quality.

In Senegal, the government is leveraging digital technology through the 'New Deal Technologique 2034' to boost productivity. With agriculture representing approximately 15% of the GDP and 77% of the active population, initiatives such as the ANCAR mobile application and precision tools like e-Tolbi are being utilized. These technologies provide weather data, livestock advice, and satellite imagery to optimize harvests. Projections suggest these digital reforms could generate 290 billion CFA francs in added value and create 83,000 jobs by 2030.