Arable land
6.2 million hectares; (50% exploited or 3,3 million hectares and 10% cultivated yearly, 0.62 million hectares)
Potential irrigable land
364 000 ha (only 30,200 ha actually developed)
River system
6 250 km
1 161 streams
24 watersheds
Forest resources
Around 2.7 million hectares, i.e. 11 % of national territory
Favorable rainfall
Between 1,200 mm to the North and Northeast and 6,000 mm in the Fouta Djallon massifs ; more than 400 billion of m3 of water/year
Source: General Report of the Agricultural Survey Report - 2014-2015 - Agricultural Campaign and INS (2016)
Sector Overview: Agriculture
Guinea’s agricultural sector has great potential and may serve as the engine for eventual accelerated growth and sustainable employment creation. This potential can ensure food security in the country, increase revenues from exports, mainly from cash crops, and facilitate profitable investments with high added value.
Identified as a key growth sector as well as mining and energy, the agricultural sector has, in recent days, undergone diversification trends with the revival of cotton farming and the development of rubber and palm plantations. Since 2007, the Government adopted a National Agricultural Development Policy (PNDA). Based on the National Agriculture Investment and Food Security Plan (PNIASA), this policy is aimed at developing a modern, sustainable, productive and competitive agriculture on the intra-community and international markets. The private sector plays a leading role in achieving these objectives, particularly in the areas of procurement, production, marketing and agricultural services.
Competitive advantages
The diversity in climate, water resources and the fertility of the subsoil give Guinea a natural comparative advantage in growing a wide variety of crops.
The Potentiel of land, where water control is possible is also considerable. It is estimed at 520.000 ha including 140.000 ha of land in magrove and rear mangrove and 200.000 ha of alluvial fluvial pains.
An area of 24,6 million hectares, Guinea has 6,2 millions hectares of arable land, of which only 50% is exploited. Of the 364.000 hectares of irrigable land, only 30.200 are currently being exploited.
Opportunities in brief
The agricultural sector presents an agro-ecological diversity favoring the development of diverse production systems. The country is subdivided into four (4) natural zones, each representing a particular agro-ecological potential. The total cultivated surface area in Guinea for the main subsistence crops was estimated during the 2014/2015 agricultural campaign to be 3,591,141 ha against only 1,339,846 ha in 2000/2001 during the last national agricultural census.
1. Lower Guinea
This region is favorable for high value-added horticultural production. The pineapple sector is in full expansion and modernization. Mango, avocado and banana production is gradually on the rise. In the early 1960s, banana production reached a record 100,000 tons.
2. Middle Guinea
The Region is good for livestock farming, the climate is ideal due to the Fouta Djallon mountains and it is where the following vegetables grow best: tomatoes, onions, eggplants etc. In the past 12 years, potato farming has known a boom not only for local consumption, but also for export as well.
3. Upper Guinea
With savanna like climate, this region is good for growing cotton. Its progressive extension allows an estimated production of about 30,000 tons / year to date. At present, the sector is being restructured. The region also has one of the widest and most fertile prairie lands in Africa along the Niger River, which is very good for rice farming.
4. Forest Guinea
The Region is favorable for industrial plantation of coffee, rubber and palm oil. Approximately 200,000 ha are cultivated. Coffee production rose from 1,000 tons in 1984 to 20,000 tons to date. The SOGUIPAH, one of the leading players in the region, has more than 10,000 hectares of both crops in addition to developing rice and fishery projects in the region.