The SSNUP program:
Coordinated by ADA, the SSNUP program aims to boost the productivity of smallholder farmers in Asia, Africa and Latin America by improving risk management and developing sustainable agricultural value chains. Financed by Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the program aims to improve the living conditions and food security of over 10 million small-holders. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is one of the impact investors implementing the project.
A high-impact agricultural project in Senegal:
Agriculture plays a key role in the Senegalese economy, accounting for around 75% of the workforce and contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth. However, the sector remains heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with only 5% of land irrigated, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In addition, only 20% of the country’s adult population has access to the formal banking system, limiting smallholders’ access to affordable financial solutions.
Vision Fund Senegal, a microfinance institution created in 2016 by World Vision International, plays a crucial role in this context. With a loan portfolio of over 13.8 million euros as of September 2023, the institution serves 58,895 active borrowers, 98% of whom are women and 74% of whom live in rural areas. Its agricultural portfolio, comprising livestock and crop activities, accounts for 88% of the total.
A project to strengthen the financial skills of smallholders:
With the support of the SSNUP program, Vision Fund Senegal will develop and implement a digital financial education training program, specifically designed for farming households. This 18-month project, with a total budget of €40,000 (90% funded by SSNUP), aims to:
- Design a digital financial education program adapted to the Senegalese agricultural context;
- Train 19,256 farming households throughout the country.
By leveraging digital technologies, this project will enable smallholders to acquire the knowledge they need to better manage their finances, access financial services and improve their resilience in the face of economic and climatic challenges.
With a particular focus on women, who make up the majority of Vision Fund Senegal’s beneficiaries, this project aims not only to boost agricultural productivity, but also to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable and equitable financial inclusion in Senegal.
By providing smallholders with the necessary financial tools and skills, this project contributes to building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector in Senegal.