SENEGAL
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture operates in Senegal as part of its Sahel Africa Hub, supporting agricultural transformation through research-for-development. Its work focuses on improving food safety, strengthening agricultural systems, and enhancing livelihoods in the face of climate variability.
Read more
In collaboration with national partners such as the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), IITA delivers innovations that improve crop productivity, build resilience, and promote inclusive agribusiness development.
Location
Dakar
Dakar, Senegal
IITA-Senegal, CORAF/IITA, 7 Avenue Bourguiba BP 48. cp, 18523, Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 338699618
Contacts
Abdoulaye Tahirou
t.abdoulaye@cgiar.org
Eveline Odiambo
e.odiambo@cgiar.org
FOCUS AREAS
Food Safety and Aflatoxin Management
Scaling Aflasafe technologies to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut, improving food safety and market access.
Crop Improvement and Farming Systems
Developing and promoting improved varieties of cassava, cowpea, and maize, alongside integrated soil fertility management practices.
Youth in Agribusiness
Empowering young people through skills development, entrepreneurship training, and engagement in agricultural value chains.
Capacity Development and Research
Strengthening national research capacity through training, postgraduate support, and institutional collaboration.
Policy and Knowledge Systems
Supporting evidence-based agricultural policy through regional initiatives such as ReSAKSS.
Featured Projects
- Location: Côte d’ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Location: Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Uganda
- Location: Benin, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo
- Location: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal
INNOVATION
Aflasafe SN01 for Aflatoxin Control
IITA promotes Aflasafe SN01, a biological control product that significantly reduces aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut, improving food safety and trade potential.
Improved Crop Varieties
Development and dissemination of resilient crop varieties adapted to local conditions, improving productivity and climate resilience.
Youth Agribusiness Models (ENABLE-Youth)
Training and mentoring programs that support youth-led enterprises in horticulture, aquaculture, and poultry value chains.
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
is delivering measurable impact in Senegal by improving food safety, strengthening crop systems, and expanding opportunities for youth in agribusiness. Through partnerships with national and regional stakeholders, IITA translates research into practical solutions that enhance resilience, productivity, and livelihoods.
Aflatoxin control improving food safety and market access
Aflasafe technologies are reducing contamination in maize and groundnut, enhancing food quality and trade opportunities.
Improved crop varieties strengthening resilience
Adoption of cassava, cowpea, and maize varieties is supporting productivity under climate stress.
Youth empowerment driving agribusiness development
Training and mentorship programs are creating opportunities for young people across agricultural value chains.
Research capacity strengthened for national systems
Postgraduate training and institutional support are enhancing agricultural research and innovation.
Soil fertility practices improving productivity
Integrated soil management approaches are restoring soil health and increasing yields.
Policy support strengthening agricultural decision-making
Regional knowledge systems are improving data use and evidence-based planning in the agricultural sector.
PARTNERS
IITA’s works in Senegal with key partners including the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), alongside regional CGIAR institutions, development organizations, and private sector actors to scale agricultural innovations.
BAMTAARE SA
Direction de la Protection des Végétaux (DGPV)
Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA)
Association Sénégalaise pour la Promotion du Développement par la Base (ASPRODEB)
Publications
Data-driven evaluation of constraints and adaptation priorities in Asian and African rice systems: outcomes from the PAiCE toolkit
CY-Bench: a comprehensive benchmark dataset for sub-national crop yield forecasting (Preprint)
Field evaluation of advanced rice lines for adaptability to drought and heat in the Senegal River Valley
Related News
See all news

Why Climate Finance Must Tackle Food Loss and Waste
Every harvest season in Africa, food is lost or wasted at staggering levels. Nigeria loses 45% of its 3.9 million tons of tomato harvest each year to postharvest losses and supply chain inefficiencies.

Full registration for Aflasafe approved!
Aflasafe SN01, a new biocontrol technology that protects grains from aflatoxin in the field and

Technology leap for Senegal and The Gambia to combat aflatoxin in food
Today in Dakar, both Senegal and The Gambia simultaneously took a giant leap forward in
See all news
MEDIA/RESOURCES
Events
Explore key events and
engagements
Photos
Highlights from field activities and impact
Videos
Watch stories of innovation and transformation