Russia will supply Senegal with seed batches, assist in the introduction of organic fertilizers, and train agri-food specialists, announced Modou Gueye Seck, advisor to the Senegalese Prime Minister on agriculture and director of the Department of Financing and International Partnerships at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock.
According to Seck, the priority projects within the cooperation between Russia and Senegal include the establishment of a seed bank in Senegal under the auspices of the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research, the promotion of wheat cultivation, organic fertilizer production, and specialist training in the sector. He made the announcement following talks with a Russian delegation from the International Organization for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC), which included Russian business leaders.
Alexander Biryukov, IOEC vice president in charge of cooperation with African countries, told TASS that Senegal is a strategic partner for Russia in Africa. “Through the IOEC platform, we are developing projects such as the creation of a seed fund, organic fertilizer production, and the training of Senegalese experts in Russia. We expect to soon sign agreements that will boost the overall agricultural cooperation between our two countries,” he stated.
According to Biryukov, working groups will be established within the IOEC International Business Center. “The Senegalese delegation will take part in the Global Forum New Era – New Paths. Partnership agreements in the agri-food sector are expected to be signed during the conference. This represents a window of opportunity for Russia: small and medium-sized enterprises will gain access to the promising African market,” Biryukov emphasized.
He also recalled that the foundation for long-term cooperation between Russia and Senegal was laid in July 2024, when Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Senegalese Foreign Minister Yassine Fall inaugurated the Africa-Russia-Eurasia Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Dakar.