International Development Grant

Adaptation and Valorization of Entrepreneurship in Irrigated Agriculture

Project Number: CA-3-P005390001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Senegal 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $18,341,021.00

Start Date: March 28, 2019

End Date: March 31, 2026

Duration: 7.0 years

Project Description

The project aims to improve the socio-economic well-being and resilience of farming households especially women and youth in the Sédhiou and Tambacounda regions of Senegal through climate friendly agricultural and irrigation practices. Among other things the project stands out for its approach of adopting innovative and affordable technologies and using smart practices in agriculture by women and youth. The project focuses on creating public-private partnerships with financial institutions among others to ensure access to financing and partnerships with private companies for the purchase of agricultural products. Project activities include: (1) developing customized training programs for women and youth in topics such as financial management business planning climate change; (2) administering and disseminating market research on the needs of farming households especially of women and youth to agricultural input and irrigation service providers; and (3) developing multi-stakeholder platforms for women and youth for a common dialogue on water resources management.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased socio-economic empowerment of women and youth; (2) sustainable and innovative intensification of irrigated crops adapted to climate change; and (3) improved local governance and territorial management of water resources.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: 1) Training of 1 674 clients including 1 524 women on profitable agribusiness management (financial literacy business planning production and processing soft skills and climate-smart technologies) that meet the needs of women and youth. 2) 5 financial products/services identified for women/youth representing a 100% completion rate. 1 080 clients trained in financial education and entrepreneurship. 2 081 clients received financial products/services representing a 104.05% completion rate compared to the annual target of 2 000 clients. 3) Awareness-raising of 504 households out of a target of 500 on the rights of women and youth. 4) Training of 8 927 women out of a target of 600 on agro-nutrition. 5) Grants to seven groups totaling $848 000 out of a target of $800 000 for the purchase of agricultural facilities and equipment. 6) Training of 6 778 clients including 6 104 women on climate-adapted agricultural techniques and technologies out of a target of 6 750 at the end of the project.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
WGM Africa

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Agricultural development 15%
Agricultural land resources 15%
Agricultural water resources 15%
Food crop production 10%
Agricultural financial services 20%
Agricultural co-operatives 25%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Call for Proposals

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 2 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Level 2 Climate Change Adaptation
Level 1 Desertification
Level 1 Youth Issues
Level 1 Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR)
Level 1 Nutrition
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2018-04-01 to 2019-03-31 $18,341,021 CAD
Geographic Information
044
Reference ID: 133