Mauritania

Despite positive signals from the economic indicators of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, more than half of the population still lives below the poverty threshold, and the country is classed amongst the least developed countries (LDC classification 152 out of 177 countries according to the Human Development Indicator basis).

The rural sector represents 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and takes up more than 60% of the active population. The principal activity of the rural sector is stock-settler breeding. This represents on its own, almost 80% of the agricultural production, and contributes, despite the very low level of investment 15.2% of GDP. The dairy sector represents excellent prospects for growth to meet the level required for projected national demand. Moreover, the commercialisation of dairy production towards industrial production requires important changes in terms of control of herds and practices of herdsmen, in this way increasing the demand for quality raw milk.  The populations, principally in the river region, who orientate their stock-breeding towards the commercialisation of diary production, are more accessible for the collection of milk are forming a pilot group essential to the evolution of mentalities and practices.

One of the principles stakes is therefore to accompany this movement in favour of the integration of small scale producers within this sector.  The other important factor for the development of the production of dairy produce concerns the structure of the rural world.