Senegal: Project to Strengthen the Rice Value Chain of the Senegal River Valley (PAPRIZ3)

Rice is a staple food in Senegal, yet a large share of domestic demand continues to be met through imports. From a food security perspective, increasing domestic rice production remains an important priority. In the Senegal River Valley—one of the country’s major rice-producing areas—gaps in production techniques, as well as underdeveloped logistics and distribution systems, have constrained stable rice production and marketing.

This project started in 2021 as Phase 3 (PAPRIZ3) of the Project to Strengthen the Rice Value Chain of the Senegal River Valley, which has been implemented since 2009. Building on the results achieved in Phases 1 and 2, PAPRIZ3 focuses on two core pillars: the dissemination of rice production techniques and the improvement of the rice value chain. Through these efforts, the project aims to achieve stable production and distribution of high-quality rice.

Along this process, the project also works to improve the profitability of key value chain actors, including farmers and rice millers. At the same time, it strengthens the institutional capacity of the implementing agency, Société d’Aménagement et d’Exploitation des Terres du Delta du fleuve Sénégal et des Vallées du fleuve Sénégal et de la Falémé (SAED), and supports the scaling up of effective approaches to contribute to Senegal’s broader rice development policies.

Our Role in the Project

■Demonstration and Dissemination of Rice Production Techniques (Matam Department)

Pilot activities to demonstrate improved cultivation practices, water management, and milling processes, and to organize these practices into technology packages adapted to local conditions.

■Improvement of the Rice Value Chain (Dagana and Podor Departments)

Strengthening linkages among rice millers, traders, and financial institutions to develop sustainable business models that integrate farm planning and financial flows.

■Capacity Building of the Implementing Agency (SAED) and Support for Scaling Up

Support for the establishment of task forces, preparation and monitoring of annual action plans, and facilitation of training programs for neighboring African countries to promote wider application of the Senegal River Valley model.

Interviews with rice farmers

Field surveys conducted to assess yield components