Dr. Cheikhou Oumar Ba, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, conducted a two-day official tour of Ziguinchor on August 11 and 12, 2026, according to a ministerial communiqué. The visit focused on evaluating regional crop progress, inspecting agricultural infrastructure, and meeting directly with local producers, breeders, and professional organizations at the Hôtel Kadiandoumagne.
Inspecting Agricultural Innovation and Productivity in Casamance
The ministerial delegation began at Diabir in the commune of Oulampane, where officials examined a 50-hectare peanut farm managed by eight households. According to the official communiqué, this site utilizes animal traction and state-subsidized equipment designed to boost productivity and reduce physical labor. In Tobor within the commune of Niamone, Dr. Ba toured a two-hectare ecological farm managed by young entrepreneur Papis Badiane. This modern site features five 1 000 m² greenhouses, a 500-square-meter nursery greenhouse, fertigation systems, composting, dwarf coconut palms, and pisciculture, creating eight jobs and hosting 46 trainees.
Did You Know? The ecological farm in Tobor features five dedicated greenhouses measuring 1 000 m² each, alongside a separate 500-square-meter greenhouse specifically designated for plant nurseries.
Following these inspections, the second day centered on rice farming in Katouré within the commune of Nyassia. The visit highlighted the region’s agricultural potential and ongoing efforts to strengthen farmers’ capabilities. Furthermore, the Direction régionale du développement rural formalized the sector by registering 315 cooperative societies to improve producer organization across the territory.
Favorable Rains and High Input Availability
Agricultural conditions across the region benefit from strong rainfall data recorded through August 5. According to official figures, cumulative precipitation spans 320.5 to 515.6 mm in Bignona, 394.1 to 762.2 mm in Ziguinchor, and 449.1 to 686.3 mm in Oussouye, making Ziguinchor the most heavily watered department. This moisture supports key crops: rice sits in nursery and transplanting stages, maïs spans seedling to early stem elongation, peanuts range from the seven-leaf stage to flowering, and cowpeas stretch from seedlings to early branching, while phytosanitary conditions remain relatively calm.
Input supplies remain robust across the region. Seed placement rates reached 97,91 % for peanuts, 99,95 % for maize, and 96,51 % for cowpeas, while fertilizer distribution achieved 100% availability for both 6-20-10 and Terracalcou formulas, according to government statements. Officials continue monitoring distribution channels to ensure producers retain direct access to these materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
[Question 1]
When did Minister Dr. Cheikhou Oumar Ba visit Ziguinchor?
[Answer]
The minister conducted his official tour on August 11 and 12, 2026.
[Question 2]
What were the recorded rainfall ranges in the region?
[Answer]
Rainfall totals gathered by August 5 ranged from 320.5 to 515.6 mm in Bignona, 394.1 to 762.2 mm in Ziguinchor, and 449.1 to 686.3 mm in Oussouye.
[Question 3]
How many cooperative societies were registered by the Direction régionale du développement rural?
[Answer]
The regional directorate registered 315 cooperative societies to formalize and organize local producers.
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