ENTENTE: Successful expansion of rice seed production and technological progress in Senegal

In the southern region of Senegal, in the Casamance region, the ENTENTE cooperative plays a crucial role in the production of high-quality certified rice seeds. Thanks to the support of Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs (OVO) and sound local management, ENTENTE repaid its loan in just 18 months and has achieved impressive results.

Sustainable growth and successful coaching
Under the guidance of OVO coach Pierre Winant, ENTENTE has made enormous progress on several levels:

·       Full repayment of the first loan tranche as planned in April 2024.

·       A 130% increase in the production of certified rice seeds, which contributes to food security in Senegal.

·       A network of 1,275 rice farmers, 36% of whom are women, who benefit from better techniques and access to markets.

·       Strong leadership under Bassirou, who manages a motivated team and guarantees high quality standards.

With this progress, ENTENTE is positioning itself as an important player in the rice production chain and helping to reduce dependence on imports.

Innovation through technology: contribution of Humasol students
One of the great successes of the past year is the collaboration with Humasol. Students from this organisation have been working in Senegal for eight weeks on innovative technological improvements:

·       Installation of solar panels for a more sustainable energy supply.

·       A bio-digester, which converts organic waste into usable energy and fertilisers.

These technologies not only help to reduce the ecological footprint, but also increase the efficiency and production quality of rice seed processing.

 

ENTENTE as a pioneer in the region
ENTENTE is not only a rice seed producer, but also plays a broader role in the economic and social development of the region:

·       Contribution to food security: ENTENTE helps reduce dependence on rice imports.

·       Opportunities for women and young people: 36% of the affiliated farmers are women, and the cooperative is strongly committed to employment.

·       Cooperation with scientific and government agencies: ENTENTE works closely with AfricaRice, ISRA, SODAGRI and ANCAR to further optimise the quality of rice seed production.

Future plans and ambitions
ENTENTE is looking ahead and has set itself an ambitious goal: by 2035, the cooperative wants to be responsible for 80% of the rice seed supply in the region and 50-60% of the total rice production. This means a multiplication of the production capacity, supported by:

·       Better agricultural techniques for higher yields per hectare.

·       Greater infrastructure and more efficient processing technologies.

·       Expansion of the area of rice paddies, currently only partially utilised.

 

An inspiring example of entrepreneurship and cooperation
ENTENTE demonstrates how local entrepreneurs, sustainable financing and innovative technology can together lead to a successful, scalable and impactful project. Thanks to its strong organisation and close cooperation with OVO and other partners, ENTENTE continues to grow and make a difference in the Senegalese rice sector.

Would you like to continue following this inspiring project? Stay informed of the latest developments via OVO!