17th edition of Fonio Day: the challenge of consuming local in Kédougou

The 17th edition of the International Day of Fonio and Food Sovereignty will be held on November 13 and 14, 2026 in Kédougou. The announcement was made on Sunday by the organizing committee. Organized by the Regional Cooperative of players in the fonio sector, it will be under the theme: “Fonio from Senegal: produce, transform and consume locally for our food sovereignty”.

Producers, processors, researchers, investors and public decision-makers are expected at this meeting. Panels, an exhibition-fair, technical demonstrations and culinary tastings are planned to promote this traditional cereal.

According to Abdoulaye Diallo, member of the organizing committee, this day constitutes an opportunity for Kédougou and Senegal. He underlines the need to mobilize the region’s active forces in order to make the event a benchmark event, beyond national borders. He also paid tribute to Aïssata Aya Ndiaye, considered the founder of this initiative. Beyond the celebration, the organizers want to promote technical innovations, encourage investments and encourage the mechanization of production as well as the modernization of fonio processing. The organizers want to promote fonio, encourage investments, promote mechanization and modernize its processing in order to improve the income of those involved in the sector.

Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso are among the neighboring countries whose participation is envisaged, confirming the sub-regional dimension of the event. Women, very present in processing and marketing, occupy a central place in this dynamic.

Ndeye Mayata Diop, member of the organizing committee, pleads for increased support from the State. The organizers also invite the President of the Republic and the Minister of Agriculture, announced as godfather, to take part in the festivities. Through this 17th edition, the stakeholders aim to make fonio a lever for food sovereignty, income creation and economic development.