Speak to an older farmer in Senegal and chances are they’ll vividly remember the 1970s. Recurring droughts that decimated crops and tested the resilience of Senegalese farming families. But as often is the case, hardship also sparked mobilization, and some 50 years later the results can be seen all over the country.
Born out of this time was FONGS, a federation of farmers’ organizations going back to 1976. Today it brings together 120 000 members across 33 associations countrywide, offering training, information, and rural financing. It also advocates with the government, boosts the participation of women and youth farmers, and helps members build their entrepreneurship.
Millets make up more than half of the planted area in Senegal. And when it comes to marketing them better, Masse Gning has been a driving force.
“I have been producing millets since my childhood and millets are the main cereal I eat,” says Masse, who grew up south of the capital Dakar.
He’s been a member of FONGS since the 70s, and for more than a decade he’s been managing a project to improve the value chain of dry cereals – especially millets – in western Senegal.
This means, for example, introducing new machines for post-harvest processing and building rural bakeries where value-added products can be sold. They also create new markets through contracts with flour mills, schools and health centres. What’s more, they promote products through local fairs and radio stations, and lobby authorities for policies in favor of agroecology and local consumption.
Masse facilitates monthly meetings to ensure all people in the value chain are heard, each makes enough profit and prices are fair and competitive. This includes farmers' organizations, women active in cereal processing, artisan bakers, and family farms that produce millets.
Currently, he’s working to bring millets into existing value chains for bread and donuts.
“We believe millets still have a significant [untapped] potential for production, use and their position in the market.” And that gives hope – for now, and the next 50 years.
