“I hope my children will succeed in school and obtain diplomas so they can secure good jobs in the future,” said Tenine. “Agriculture holds great significance to me as it enables me to generate income by selling my crops. This, in turn, allows me to pay for my children’s education and meet household expenses.”
Tenine Diouf is a 32-year-old mother of two and a groundnut farmer from Ngass Serere village in Senegal. Tenine started farming in 2007 and later joined myAgro in 2013 to develop her agricultural expertise and lay the groundwork for her family’s bright future.
Before joining myAgro, Tenine worked as a domestic worker in the capital city of Dakar, earning approximately $45 per month. However, this income was inconsistent and unreliable. Consequently, Tenine started to feel anxious about whether her current income would suffice to sustain herself and the family she hoped to have in the future. After getting married, Tenine returned to her village to explore the potential of making a better living through agriculture.
“I quit my job in Dakar in 2007,” Tenine expressed. “With the income I make from my farming activities, I am able to achieve much more than what I earned as a domestic worker in Dakar.”
In the 2022 season, Tenine harvested eight bags of 50kg of groundnuts with myAgro. “We also harvested more than 16 bags of peanut leaves this year, which will last us almost a year for animal feed,” Tenine adds.
In addition to crop farming, Tenine has also ventured into livestock farming. By cultivating feed for her animals rather than buying it, she has been able to significantly reduce her expenses and increase her profit margin.
“After harvest, customers usually come to buy from me. But if not, I can sell my stock at the Touba Toul market, which is only 6 km away,” Tenine expressed.
“I support my family through agriculture, and my husband supports us by working as a taxi driver in Dakar,” Tenine continued. “If we had to rely on what my husband makes only, it would slow things down. The taxi business is unreliable and does not always bring in good money.”
After visiting markets in Touba Toul and Dakar, we discovered that the current average market price for 1 kg of groundnut is $0.60. Given that Tenine produces 50kg bags of groundnut, she has the potential to earn up to $30 for each bag. However, if she chooses to refine the groundnuts into peanut butter paste or roast them for sale, she could potentially make a significantly higher profit.
“Working in Dakar was difficult, and I much prefer farming in the village. Based on my personal experience, I would encourage people to consider farming as a viable means of earning a living.” Tenine conveys.
Tenine’s investment in myAgro packages has greatly benefited her by providing her with agricultural training that has supported her in becoming a skilled producer. She plans to expand her agricultural practice this coming season by planting groundnuts, okra, and hibiscus. “In 2023, I will diversify my crops”, Tenine shares. Tenine aims to ensure her family a stable and sustainable future.
Stay up-to-date with life in rural villages by following us on social media. Our dedicated field team regularly visits farmers and reports on their progress as myAgro advances towards its goal of serving 1 million farmers by 2026.
