Based in Dakar, Senegal, Biosene SARL is a leading business in the processing of local traditional agricultural products. Each year, it sources approximately 200 tons of raw agricultural materials and semi- finished products from more than 6,000 smallholder farmers and processors in Burkina Faso and in Senegal’s rural areas of Fatick, Kaolack, Diourbel, and Kedougou. With exception to moringa, which is purchased throughout the year, all other materials are purchased between January and March. To help alleviate the arduous work of these farmers and processors (who are predominantly women), Biosene provides them with mills and other small equipment. The payments farmers and processors receive from Biosene also contribute to the food security of their families. Through this grant, Biosene will increase the amount of millet, fonio, baobab fruits and powder, hibiscus, moringa, and white beans it purchases to 422 tons in Burkina Faso and 258 tons in Senegal, thus benefitting 4,200 Burkinabe and 2,400 Senegalese farmers and processors. These raw materials/semi- finished products will be further processed and packaged in sachets of cereals, semolina, alimentary pastes, dried chalices, and fruit and leaf powders. Of these products, those driving the most revenue in local Senegalese supermarkets and other food retailers are white beans and millet seed products (thiere, arraw, thiacry and sankhal). In international markets, fonio replaces sankhal as Biosene’s fourth best- selling product to wholesalers in France, Holland, Canada, and, to a lesser extent, the United States where about 9000 Kg is sold annually. Biosene’s products are high quality and in high demand as they contain calcium, iron, and vitamins, which make them an important contributor to the nutrition of children and adults. Though there is a national and international consumer trend toward more natural and bio products, Biosene, due to an investment gap, has been unable to meet approximately 60 percent of its current demand. Indeed, if Biosene were to double its production capacity, its products would still sell out. Covid-19 has further disrupted supply chains and placed a heavy toll on Biosene’s trading activities. As in many countries, Senegal implemented strong Covid-19 mitigation measures in March 2020, including a state of emergency, physical distancing, and a reduction in work hours. Similar measures were taken in countries where Biosene exports its products. As a result, Biosene’s local and international operations were both negatively impacted by the pandemic, resulting in sharp declines in: a) production (80 percent), b) shipment of Biosene products to markets (90 percent), and c) purchases of raw agricultural materials (85 percent), and d) Biosene’s production staff (24 percent). In response, this grant will support the rebuilding of stronger supply chains and help Biosene take advantage of opportunities in the traditional agricultural products value chains. The easing of national and international Covid-19 mitigation measures in Summer 2020 enabled Biosene to return some of its operations back to normal. With exception to some production and support staff, most personnel are working full time and in compliance with sanitary protocols (e.g., through the use of masks, hydroalcoholic G007COV015 .Read Less