Bignona: The Affignam dam is at the heart of the Minister of Agriculture's concerns

Following his tour of the southern region of the country, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, Dr. Cheikh Oumar Ba, conducted a field visit to Bignona, a strategic department in the Ziguinchor region. This day of discussions with producers and local authorities highlighted a major issue: the revitalization of the Affignam Dam, considered essential for food sovereignty and the modernization of agriculture in the Casamance region.

On the ground, the minister reaffirmed the President's vision, based on anticipation and constant vigilance. "We must change our approach, not wait for problems to arise before seeking solutions," he declared to agricultural stakeholders. Bignona, which represents nearly 72% of the regional territory, emerged as a laboratory for transformation where agricultural potential must now be translated into sustainable performance.

The Affignam dam, long seen as a symbol of hope for the local population, has once again become a central topic of discussion. Residents expressed their expectations regarding its rehabilitation and optimal use. The minister promised a collaborative effort between the government, technical partners, and local authorities to expedite concrete solutions. "We must move quickly," he insisted, emphasizing that mechanization and the rational management of water resources will be key to resilient agriculture.

This visit also highlighted the commitment of young people and women to agricultural production. The minister praised the integrated farm of the Sénégal-Agro group, managed by Aliou Diouaré, a model of innovation and training. Funded entirely by its own resources, this facility trains young people from across Senegal and even neighboring countries in fields such as agricultural equipment maintenance, irrigation, beekeeping, market gardening, and livestock production. It embodies the vision of sustainable youth integration into the agricultural sector, supported by the agricultural, forestry, livestock, and fisheries policy law.

Clément Sambou, Secretary General of the Dynamics for a Local Agroecological Transition (DYTAEL) in Bignona, praised the Ministry's efforts toward food sovereignty, particularly through the distribution of 300 tons of solid and liquid organic amendments. He emphasized the transparency of the process and the need to strengthen communication and training for producers to ensure better use of these inputs.

Between the revival of the Affignam dam, mechanization, youth training and the promotion of organic inputs, this day in Bignona revealed a single ambition: to make Casamance a hub of agricultural prosperity and an engine of national food sovereignty.