Maïrame Kane and her family grow fruit and vegetables in Senegal's Podor department, in the Saint-Louis region. “My parents are growers so from a very early age, I have been involved in farming. Later, I studied to become a lawyer in NGOs. But three years ago, I decided to return to the fields to become a farmer myself,” explains Maïrame Kane.
Today, Maïrame grows rice, wheat, onions, eggplants, beet, pumpkins, chilly peppers, hibiscus and okra, on approximately 100 hectares. She now wishes to sell her production on the European continent. “We are lucky to have a lot of arable land, which enables us to diversify our crops and offer products in significant quantities. I am now targeting the European markets to sell more of my produce. Our merchandise will be available from the end of June, with considerable potential for development depending on the needs of our partners. We also have the advantage of being able to produce fresh, high-quality fruit and vegetables delivered directly after harvest, and to guarantee a regular supply to our clients. To achieve this, our products are packaged on site, directly at the farm or in the field.”
In the Sahelian climate, temperatures can run particularly high. Crops therefore need to be irrigated. “In order to produce in such a climate, we have to use irrigation. We use very few phytosanitary products and rely more on what we have on site, such as the waste from our cows. This way, we can produce organically.”
The okra, eggplant and pumpkin harvests are about to begin. As for the onions, beet and tomatoes, the campaign will start in October, when the weather conditions will be more favorable for these crops.
For more information:
Maïrame Kane
Phone: 00221770560939
[email protected]