The LED activities in Senegal
Media contribution "The LED in Senegal" - (Summary of 1500 characters)
Agroecology in Senegal - Liechtenstein is actively involved
Despite being small, Liechtenstein is a major player when it comes to sustainable development, thinking on a broad scale. In Senegal, Liechtenstein’s Development Service (LED) is supporting local sustainable food systems through agroecology—an approach to agriculture that equally respects both nature and humans.
Senegal, a country in West Africa with a rich agricultural tradition, faces huge challenges. The soil is drying out, water is scarce, and crop yields are uncertain. Many farmers, particularly women and young people, have limited access to land or production resources. At the same time, cheap imported goods flood the markets, while healthy and high-quality organic products are exported abroad.
Those who are hardest hit are often the very people responsible for feeding the country—small-scale farmers themselves. Many families still struggle each year with the "période de soudure," a hunger period between two harvests, during which they barely have enough to eat. While their fields dry out or are destroyed by extreme weather events, they are forced to buy expensive food. Many young people see no future in agriculture and leave the country.
A Viable Strategy for the Future
However, where there are difficulties, there are also opportunities: Senegal has a dynamic civil society committed to agroecology, and this is exactly where Liechtenstein steps in. The LED is investing over five million Swiss Francs by 2026 to strengthen sustainable food systems in Senegal. Agroecological farming forms a central element of the new LED strategy for 2023-2026. The area of "food systems with a focus on agroecology" is one of the two main priority areas for the LED.
Agroecology is far from a romantic return to the idyllic farms of the past. It is a cutting-edge concept that integrates ecology, economics, and social justice, yet it is rooted in long-standing practices. The approach focuses on natural cycles, biodiversity, and regional varieties.
The LED supports this shift with a clear plan:
Training farmers to apply sustainable methods and enhance their food security.
Strengthening markets to ensure organic products are locally available, allowing farmers to live from their work.
Supporting local advocacy efforts to better anchor agroecology in national strategies.
LED Projects in Senegal
In October 2024, a delegation from the LED Foundation Board and the LED team visited LED projects in Senegal. The representatives were able to tour the projects on the ground and witness the diverse impacts of the implemented measures firsthand. The trip included visits to the following projects:
"Dundel Mbay" (horizont3000): A gender-sensitive program focused on food security, empowering women and youth while sustainably improving agricultural production.
"Bio-Senegal" (HEKS): The creation of a participatory certification system for organic agriculture, which helps farmers bring certified organic products to the market.
"Education for Opportunities" (Swisscontact): A training program for young people in the Sahel region, providing them with access to agricultural education and entrepreneurial skills.
LED Presence on the Ground – Enhancing Impact
To drive change more effectively, the LED established its own presence in Dakar. A dedicated representative coordinates projects on the ground and expands the network. The goal is to move from isolated aid projects to structural transformations. This path requires considerable expertise, foresight, and persistence.
Through its commitment, the LED sends a clear message: Development cooperation today occurs on an equal footing, focusing on long-term perspectives. It is about increasing the impact of LED resources. Sustainable agriculture in Senegal not only benefits the people on the ground but also all stakeholders, and ultimately, in our interconnected world, it benefits humanity as a whole.