2025 was marked by major advances in strengthening cooperation between the Netherlands and Senegal in support of sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agriculture. Through trade missions, high-level strategic dialogues, and concrete field initiatives, solid foundations were laid to deepen partnerships. These achievements pave the way for ambitious actions planned for 2026.
Beeld: © LAN Senegal
Trade mission group at Saint-Louis
Trade mission to Saint-Louis
The year began with a trade mission to Saint-Louis bringing together 14 Dutch companies active in the horticultural sector. This mission fostered business exchanges, the development of technical partnerships, and the transfer of expertise for the benefit of local actors along the horticultural value chain. It helped strengthen commercial and technical links between the participating Dutch companies and local stakeholders.
Participation in the African Food Systems Forum (AFSF)
The Netherlands took an active part in the African Food Systems Forum, African Food a major platform for reflection on the future of food systems in Africa. The event saw the participation of Dutch companies, research institutions, and NGOs, as well as Ms. Wampie Libon, Director of the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Beeld: © LAN Senegal
Dr. Mabouba Diagne and Carmen Hagenaars jointly presented the Catalogue of Dutch Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
Catalogue of Dutch solutions for sustainable agriculture
Building on these initiatives, a catalogue of Dutch solutions for sustainable agriculture was published. Its objective is to facilitate access for local producers—particularly those engaged in agroecology—to high-quality, efficient, and affordable inputs. The catalogue (also available in French) highlights practical solutions offered by Dutch experts to improve soil fertility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainably increase agricultural productivity.
Orange farm and partnership with Agriterra
The year was also marked by a visit from the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock to “La Ferme Orange” (Orange Farm), during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the NGO Agriterra to support a community-led agriculture cooperative in Diender. This initiative illustrates the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting agricultural cooperatives and national agricultural policies through concrete, partnership-based actions.
Beeld: © LAN Senegal
Orange Farm: showcase of an onion variety developed by a Dutch company
Outlook for 2026
Building on the achievements of 2025, planned actions for 2026 will focus on innovation in the seed sector, circular poultry farming, and biodiversity, with several strategic priorities.
1. Seed capital and horticultural seed systems
In 2024, a study on seed capital in Senegal analyzed the structure and functioning of horticultural seed production value chains. It also identified sector trends, assessed the regulatory framework, and highlighted the main challenges and needs of actors in the horticultural sector.
Based on the recommendations of this study, the Netherlands intends to support their implementation in close collaboration with ISRA and the relevant technical services (DISEM, DPV, DHORT, among others). To this end, an innovative mission is planned for April 2026, during which Dutch experts will support local partners in updating policies and regulations related to horticultural seeds, as well as other priority topics identified by sector stakeholders.
2. Circular economy in the poultry sector
The circular economy offers many still underexploited opportunities in Senegal, particularly in the poultry sector. It represents a strategic lever to reduce environmental risks related to waste management, decrease dependence on conventional inputs, and promote the use of alternative and sustainable protein sources. It also contributes to increased incomes and strengthened economic resilience for actors in the poultry value chain.
Two priority areas have been identified:
- improving the valorization of waste streams from poultry production;
- identifying and integrating sustainable alternative inputs to reduce production costs and the sector’s environmental footprint.
Current efforts focus on developing viable business models, notably for composting poultry manure and producing black soldier fly larvae from organic waste generated by the poultry sector. These innovative solutions have strong potential for sustainable waste management, organic fertilizer production, and the development of alternative protein sources for animal feed.
3. Biodiversity and agriculture
Biodiversity is a cross-cutting priority integrated into all services provided to the private sector, regardless of the type of agricultural activity. The objective is to promote productive practices that reconcile economic performance, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable management of natural resources.
In this context, the Netherlands plans to launch the Domains 30x30 initiative in the coming months. This initiative – already launched in Côte d’Ivoire in December 2025 – aims to bring to together private landowners (often agricultural producers) and other partners that want to contribute to nature rehabilitation and conservation, in line with the 30x30 Objective of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
More information
For more information about the work of the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team in Senegal, you can reach out via email: dak-lvvn@minbuza.nl