The alumni association of the William Ponty Normal School (ENWP) organized a panel discussion on the theme: "Agriculture and Climate Change in the Context of Food Sovereignty." The event brought together academics, researchers, alumni, and development actors to discuss the challenges related to food self-sufficiency and agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.

For Professor Modou Ndiaye, president of the association, although their group is mainly composed of retirees, it remains resolutely focused on the future. "Our association is not an association of the past. While our primary objective remains the strengthening of friendly relations and solidarity, we above all have the ambition to continue serving our country," he declared.

William Ponty alumni emphasized their commitment to remaining fully engaged in civic life and major national discussions. They consider this stance consistent with Senegalese cultural values that value experience and the transmission of knowledge.

The panel placed particular emphasis on the consequences of climate change on Senegalese and African agriculture. Faced with declining yields, irregular rainfall, and land degradation, several major questions were raised:

How can we sustainably feed populations using local production?

How can we make agriculture more resilient?

How to accelerate its mechanization and modernization?

And how can we improve crop preservation and marketing systems?

For the organizers, it is urgent to better understand the threats linked to climate change in order to raise the alarm and encourage resilient behaviors. "Food sovereignty necessarily depends on agriculture capable of adapting to new climate realities," he argued.

Through this initiative, William Ponty alumni reaffirm their commitment to actively contribute to strategic debates on the future of Senegal, particularly on issues of food sovereignty and sustainable development.