"We are victims of theft, sometimes with violence, and need the support of the authorities for greater security." This heartfelt plea comes from the Group of Intensive Livestock Farmers of the Thiès Region (REIT).

He took advantage of the 11th edition of the Agriculture and Livestock Fair in Thiès, sponsored by the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Birame Soulèye Diop, to sound the alarm. The president of REIT, Khadim Fall, informed the authorities of the distress faced by livestock farmers due to cattle theft.

He also reported "a marked improvement compared to previous years, regarding the number of exhibitors and livestock." According to him, the 2026 edition recorded 250 exhibitors and 1,357 purebred animals, including Ladoum sheep, cows, racehorses, and poultry.

‎

According to livestock farmers, Senegal needs greater self-sufficiency, both in terms of animal feed, meat, and milk. To this end, they advocate for the development of forage crops and the continued genetic improvement of local breeds.

Representing the patron, Adama Diawara, also a member of REIT, recommended "leaving the cities and returning to the countryside to cultivate, but above all, to develop agriculture and livestock farming." He suggested developing forage crops and called for "moving beyond this form of pastoral agriculture towards intensive farming."

‎

"We have a strong dependence in terms of meat, sheep for Tabaski among other religious events, but also in terms of milk," laments Mr. Diawara.

According to him, "we can no longer continue to raise livestock in our cities, but we must go to the countryside, push people to return to the land, to support agriculture and livestock farming, in order to meet the challenge of (this) dependence."