The commune of Ndiaganiao now benefits from the National Livestock Breed Improvement Program in Senegal. This is a major government initiative aimed at strengthening animal production and achieving food self-sufficiency.

In this context, 24 improved breed cows were allocated to the Ndiaganiao Livestock Breeders Association. The animals were received in Thiès this weekend.

Mor Sarr, special advisor to the President of the Republic and administrative secretary of the Pastef communal section of Ndiaganiao, explained that this action is part of a comprehensive policy to modernize livestock farming.

According to him, the main objective is to improve the genetic quality of livestock in order to increase milk and meat production, reduce dairy imports, and generate more income for farmers. "It is also about sustainably improving the living conditions of rural populations," he emphasized.

This program, which will eventually cover 150,000 animals nationwide, began in 2023 and continues with regular veterinary monitoring. Plans to establish livestock feed manufacturing plants are also being considered to reduce production costs, complementing measures to lower the prices of essential goods.

Mor Sarr did, however, acknowledge the existence of major challenges, including a lack of grazing areas, difficulties in accessing water, a resurgence of cattle theft, and the emergence of diseases linked to transhumance.

To this end, actions are planned to strengthen local technical support, with the progressive provision of veterinary doctors to municipalities and the organization of producers into production and marketing cooperatives.

For his part, Bassirou Dione, president of the livestock farmers of the commune of Ndiaganiao, welcomed an initiative he considers beneficial for a sector that has long been struggling. "Livestock farming was declining in Ndiaganiao. We had never benefited from a program of this scale," he declared.

He also highlighted the commitment of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to the development of livestock farming, while calling on stakeholders in the sector to become more involved in the fight against cattle theft.