Developing Markets: Council Conducts Feed Training Workshop In Senegal

Earlier this month, the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) regional office for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) held a training workshop in Senegal for small feed and poultry producers aimed at generating demand for U.S. corn and corn co-products by developing infrastructure and production capacity.

USGC Deputy Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Salah Bouthour and USGC Administrative Assistant for Africa Meriam Ben Saad traveled to Dakar along with USGC Consultant for Senegal Daouda Guindo for the program.

The workshop, Train the Trainers, marked a significant evolution in the Council’s West African feed industry engagement program by empowering Senegalese stakeholders, previously trained during regional programs held in Tunisia, to lead the sessions.

The program focused on building technical capacity among poultry farmers and feed manufacturers, with 45 participants selected for their practical expertise. It emphasized direct engagement, hands-on learning and tailored strategies to address local challenges in the feed and livestock sectors.

“After previously welcoming Senegalese industry stakeholders to regional training sessions in Tunisia, we identified Senegal as a high-potential market early in its growth stages,” Bouthour said. “These trainings are built to naturally expand industry knowledge by establishing local leaders who can train and modernize feed production in the country.”

While in Dakar, the Council team and a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA’s FAS) met with key industry leaders. Discussions highlighted Senegal’s rapid feed industry growth, expected to reach 1.4 million metric tons annually within a decade. U.S. corn and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were promoted as valuable inputs, with growing interest from major producers.

The Council is planning further training seminars in Senegal to connect local industry stakeholders and increase familiarity with U.S. products. Additionally, customers will be invited to the Council’s upcoming Regional Buyers and Sellers Conference in the Ivory Coast.

“The 2025 Train the Trainers workshop in Dakar represents a turning point for Senegal’s feed industry. What began as externally led training has now evolved into a locally managed, sustainable initiative. Trained Senegalese professionals have not only taken the reins but are also expanding access to critical knowledge across regions, including hard-to-reach areas,” Bouthour said.

“This shift from dependency to empowerment is already making waves as the 45 skilled participants are now positioned to drive improvements in poultry feed practices nationwide.”

Learn more about the Council’s work in Senegal here.