PROPAC: Study Tour to Senegal for the Promotion of Bread‑making with Local Flours

PROPAC: Study Tour to Senegal for the Promotion of Bread‑making with Local Flours

Start a dialogue!

From 27 January to 1 February 2025, the Regional Platform of Farmers’ Organisations of Central Africa (PROPAC) took part in a study tour in Senegal. Organized by ASPRODEB, the visit brought together leaders of farmers’ organisations, processors, and bakers to explore Senegal’s successful experiences in incorporating local cereal and tuber flours into bread and pastry production.

A Project under the FO4FS Initiative

PROPAC is a beneficiary of the FO4FS (Farmers’ Organisations for Food Systems) project, a humanitarian initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through GIZ. The project aims to promote sustainable food systems that value local products and strengthen food‑sovereignty strategies.

Clear Objectives

Funded by GIZ and implemented by AgriCord, with coordination through CSA and ASPRODEB, the initiative has two main pillars:

  1. Participation of farmers’ organisations and PROPAC members in sustainable public food procurement markets (handled by CSA).

  2. Building value chains and alliances to influence public policy, encouraging greater use of local cereal and tuber flours in bread‑making (handled by ASPRODEB).

Transnational Collaboration

This cross‑border collaboration exemplifies how countries can work together to bolster food security and nutrition, while supporting local economies. The project is designed to build the capacity of farmers’ organisations, and assist their advocacy and lobbying efforts for more resilient food systems.

Study Tour Programme

The tour, running until 1 February 2025, includes:

  • Review of the FO4FS project: presentations and progress updates

  • Field visits tailored to participants’ expectations

  • Experience- and knowledge-sharing essential for building innovative food value chains and fostering sustainable development in the agro‑food sector

A Shared Vision

Representing Central Africa, PROPAC and its members use the trip to reinforce existing gains and pursue the vision of widespread incorporation of local flours into bread-making. Shared tools and management methods address obstacles hindering adoption—such as:

  • Unfavourable public fiscal policies affecting local flours

  • Insufficient public support and investment for family farmers, processors, and bakers

Article from PROPAC website.