The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program has launched a significant initiative in Mauritania aimed at bolstering national wheat production and enhancing food security.
This strategic project, a collaboration with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), focuses on developing local capacity for wheat seed multiplication and improving the entire wheat value chain.
Strengthening Local Wheat Production
The initiative, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2023 and executed in partnership with Mauritania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, seeks to establish a comprehensive national wheat seed multiplication program. The goal is to increase the availability of certified, locally produced wheat seeds, including improved hard and soft wheat strains.
By producing high-efficiency, disease-free seeds domestically, the project aims to mitigate agricultural risks and foster the development of wheat varieties better suited to local climatic conditions.
Enhancing the Wheat Value Chain
Beyond seed multiplication, the project is dedicated to improving agricultural practices throughout the wheat value chain. This includes enhancing harvest and post-harvest management techniques to minimize losses and boost overall productivity.
Furthermore, it aims to modernize the institutional frameworks governing wheat production and marketing, thereby strengthening Mauritania's agricultural sector and its food security.
Progress and Future Plans
During the 2023–2024 agricultural season, ACSAD provided improved wheat varieties for cultivation on a 20-hectare site in the Arkez region. The initial harvest yielded over 16 tons of wheat, which were then utilized for seed multiplication in the subsequent season.
The project's steering committee, comprising representatives from ACSAD, ITFC, and the Mauritanian Ministry, has met to review progress and approve the next phase. This expansion includes plans to extend cultivation to additional provinces and launch a national wheat breeding program.
This program will focus on developing new, high-yield varieties that are tolerant to abiotic stresses like drought and high temperatures, crucial in the context of climate change, while also building national technical capacity.
A Model for Regional Development
This initiative underscores the AATB Program's commitment to fostering transformative, cross-border projects that enhance economic resilience, promote regional integration, and support long-term self-reliance and sustainable development.
By facilitating technical cooperation and advancing sustainable agricultural practices, the project not only addresses Mauritania's immediate food security needs but also serves as a replicable model for other countries in the Arab and African regions facing similar agricultural challenges.
