Kédougou: the agricultural campaign is taking off, planting is starting despite a late rainy season

Seed and fertilizer distribution operations are intensifying in the Kédougou region. While the late arrival of the rains is prompting vigilance from agricultural services, the first sowings are already well underway and no major phytosanitary problems have been reported. This is according to the fifth weekly monitoring report for the 2026-2027 agricultural season published by the Regional Directorate of Rural Development (DRDR).

The 2026-2027 agricultural campaign has reached a new stage in the Kédougou region. As of July 8, the services of the Regional Directorate of Rural Development (DRDR) present a generally encouraging picture of the situation, marked by an acceleration in the distribution of agricultural inputs and the effective launch of the first sowings in the three departments of the region.

To ensure transparency in the management of subsidized inputs, administrative authorities have established departmental and local commissions responsible for receiving and distributing seeds and fertilizers. These commissions operate in the presence of the Defense and Security Forces to ensure an equitable distribution of production factors among farmers.

Peanuts top the distributions

The region's main cash crop is showing a particularly advanced level of supply. DRDR services indicate that 466.30 tonnes of certified peanut seeds of the 73-33 (R2) variety have already been received, representing 96.14% of the expected quantities.

Distribution to producers is also progressing at a sustained pace, with a transfer rate of 81.13%, reflecting the strong mobilization of farmers from the start of the season.

Maize is available, fonio and sorghum are expected

Regarding other crops, only corn seed is currently available. A total of 45 tonnes of the R2-certified Swan variety have been received, representing 56% of the expected volume.

Producers quickly took advantage of the available stocks, as 70.36% of the quantities put in place have already been distributed.

However, fonio and sorghum seeds are not yet available, as no official notification has been recorded at this stage of the campaign.

Rice cultivation is gradually expanding.

Of the five rice varieties planned for the region, three are currently available: BG 90-2, Sahel 108 and Nerica L19.

Their implementation levels have reached 50%, 42% and 60% respectively. Transfer operations are still underway with distribution rates of 63% for BG 90-2 and 14% for each of the Sahel 108 and Nérica L19 varieties.

The fertilizers arrive at the distribution centers

Fertilizer supplies are continuing throughout the region. The 6-20-10 complex has a 100% application rate, the 15-15-15 has reached 98.35%, while 68.25% of urea (46-00-00) is available. Producers have already withdrawn 30.92% of their 6-20-10 stocks, 43.82% of their 15-15-15 stocks, and 53.57% of their urea stocks.

The DRDR also specifies that all the agricultural equipment received under the Intermaq program has been distributed to the beneficiaries.

Over 364 million FCFA in loans requested

Access to financing is also an important lever of this campaign. Loan applications submitted to La Banque Agricole (LBA) have now reached 330.9 million FCFA for the department of Kédougou and 33.8 million FCFA for that of Salémata, representing more than 364 million FCFA requested by producers in the two departments.

Late rains, but sometimes above-average totals

From a climatic point of view, the report confirms a late onset of wintering, consistent with seasonal forecasts.

Compared to the same period last year, rainfall totals are down at 14 of the 15 rain gauge stations in the region. The most significant deficit is observed in Bandafassi, with a difference of -130 millimeters.

At Oubadji, there was an excess of 142.4 millimeters

However, a comparison with the 1991-2020 climate average reveals a more favorable situation in several localities. The stations of Bandafassi, Fongolimbi, Dakatély, Salémata, Ethiolo, Saraya, and Bembou show above-average rainfall, with a record 124.9 millimeters recorded in Salémata.

Despite these localized performances, agricultural services remind us that national forecasts predict a normal to deficient wintering season, urging producers to adopt prudent management of their farms.

The first seedlings are off to a good start.

In the field, the first waves of sowing are already underway for fonio, maize, rice, peanuts, and cotton. The crops are currently at the emergence and seedling stages, a crucial phase that will determine the success of the season.

No pest outbreaks reported

Another reason for producers' satisfaction is that the phytosanitary situation remains completely under control. According to the DRDR, no major pest or disease outbreaks have been recorded in the region, suggesting a promising start to the growing season under favorable sanitary conditions.

Despite a later than usual start to the rainy season, the indicators remain generally encouraging. With the distribution of inputs accelerating, access to agricultural credit gradually increasing, and crops developing normally, technical services believe that the 2026-2027 agricultural season is now truly underway in the Kédougou region, while maintaining close monitoring of rainfall patterns in the coming weeks.