USDA boosts trade support in Senegal

USDA boosts trade support in Senegal    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened an Agricultural Affairs Office at the American embassy in Dakar, Senegal, to help the West African country boost its trade in agricultural products with the United States.
   “Our strong partnership is helping to expand two-way trade between us, promote private sector investment, foster sustainable development and create economic growth,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in a statement.
   USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service joins the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Dakar to help Senegal and other countries in the region to improve their ability to engage in regional and world agricultural markets.
   In 2005, two-way agricultural, fish and forestry trade between the United States and Senegal was $10.1 million. More than three-quarters of Senegal’s population, an estimated 12 million people, work in agriculture. The industry contributed more than 15 percent to Senegal’s gross domestic product in 2005.
   Senegal produces peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables, cattle, poultry and fish. Major U.S. agricultural exports to Senegal include rice, processed fruits and vegetables, and vegetable oil.
   The addition of the Dakar office brings USDA’s number of overseas offices at American embassies to 63.