His long winter farming experience, his strictness and patriotism built up a climate of trust between him and the Department of Agriculture to such an extent he was entrusted, at several occasions, with testing new varieties of millet and ground peanut for the regeneration of farming seeds for the whole country. In 2006 he was entrusted with 20 tons out of 22 of pre base peanut seeds, the government planned for farming in the country, for the regeneration of seeds stocks, the same for the millet.
Serigne Mustapha Bassirou has always excelled in his produce farming since he started it in 1970. He is the steadiest rice farmer of Ross Bethio valley located in Saint-Louis. He farmed 200 hectares of rice, 40 hectares of produce ranging from okra, onion, Jaxatu (Local Variety of produce) groundnut.
In pout, he farmed green beans, tomatoes, okra, cassava, etc… on 100 hectares or so of land with modern techniques such as the sprinkling system. Almost all the produce farmed in that area are destined to exportation thanks to Miname Export, a tax free export company licensed by Eurogap of the European Union since 2006-2007.
It wasn’t easy for him to settle in Pout, Bambylor, Keur Momar Sarr, in Ross Bethio where people first saw in him a serious contender who was coming to take their lands. He stated out loud he was nobody’s enemy, but would, instead, befriend anyone whose motto was: work. In each of these locations he ended up being the role model and the speaker of the farmers and peasants next to the government regarding their problems of seeds, water, fertilizer, distribution, to the extent of being the homonymous of many children of these once hostile populations.
His example deserved to be mentioned and shown as an inspiration to many today when people talk about modernly equipped farms.
All profits deriving from his farms have always been used to help the needy and to be invested in Islam’s projects of development.
The mosques he built, the Daara Mame Diarra for Islamic education, free boarding school hosting more than 500 young girls, created thanks to the Foundation Mame Diarra are perfect examples.
His commitment to the economic development of Senegal is coupled with a high sense of respect of the government's insitutions and citizenry. In Fact he showed great respect to the government’s symbols and representatives, attitude inspired only by the necessity to strengthen and dignify the institutions before the people.
He was anxious that rural communities under his influence, and run by his offspring or his disciples remained beyond criticism in any aspects and above all concerning the rural tax recovery. That’s the reason why Tip and Mboul are among the only rural communities to reach 100% tax recovery every year since 1977.
His dedication to his religion and the development of his country, his high sense of the common interest earned him the respect and esteem of all the presidents of Senegal. He had great relationship with Senghor who looked for his advice regarding many important issues.
He knew Abdou Diouf since his office term in Mamadou Dia's cabinet and has had a long lasting relationship with him.
Let’s recall that in 1962, Serigne Mustapha Bassirou upon his father’s request attempted to mediate between Senghor and Mamadou Dia, the former council President to avoid the regrettable 1962 political events. Unfortunately his efforts were vain and did not have the expected impact. The role he played in the History of Senegal and his social and political positions could inspire authors to write about them.
The current president saw instantly in him a major partner with whom he could work together for the development of farming, education and many other fields.
His award on maze production and his contribution to the regeneration of the seeds stocks mentioned earlier are enough proofs.
His huge project of Daara Mame Diarra, an Islamic Education Center for girls has been largely appreciated by the President to the extend he went to Prokhane in 2007 to express him his appreciation.
Serigne Mustapha Bassirou lived fully his life in conformity with the Prophet’s hadith: “Worship as you would die tomorrow, but work as if tomorrow you will never return to Allah”
FOUNDATION MAME DIARRA BOUSSO
Serigne Mustapha Bassirou is the founder of The Foundation Mame Diarra Bousso in Prokhane.
Prokhane is the village where, Soxna Diarra Bousso’s tomb is located, mother of the venerated SHAYKH AHMADOU BAMBA MBACKE, founder of Muridiyya.Upon the Ndiguel (order, instruction) of his father, SERIGNE BASIROU MBACKE was in charge of Prokhane and of the mausoleum of Soxna Diarra. Thus, he had built a compound in Prokhane and initiated the Magal (celebration of event) of Prokhane. When he took over, Serigne Mustapha while keeping on organizing the Prokhane Magal, he got the bright idea of creating a Foundation Mame Diarra in order to perpetuate the great work of MAME DIARRA BOUSSO.
For Serigne Mustapha Bassirou, the objective of this foundation is to build a world heritage for Soxna Diarra, a common patrimony which will not be bequeathed or inherited.
Though, he funded in the year 2000-2001 the construction of the Residence Mame Diarra in Prokhane.
This residence which is destined to lodge Soxna Diarra’s guests during the magal shelters separate equipped apartments for each of Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba’s sons, daughters and brothers where they stay during the Magal of Prokhane.
He created The Daara (School) Mame Diarra in 2004 right after finishing his first project of Soxna Diarra Residence.
This training centre for young girls actually hosting 475 students, all homonymous of Soxna Diarra, offers them free boarding, and should reach its capacity of 1200 in the near future. Additional buildings for the staff, dorms, recreational space, a refectory, washers, and two storage rooms are added to the main building. Classes have started since May 2005.
Another building, that is going to serve as Modern Curriculum Daara, is under construction. It is funded by the Department of Education.
A multi-purpose room of a capacity of 200 students, funded by the Foundation is in its finishing phase.
In the framework of the Foundation’s activities, he entrusted with the building of Soxna Diarra’s Mausoleum to the Dahira Mame Diarra under the leadership of Alla Sene in, 2006.
The Foundation is a consecrated public utility foundation by Presidential decree 2006/847 of September 2006.
Article written, with the authorization of Serigne Moussa MBACKE, oldest son of Serigne Mustapha Bassirou, by:
Thierno MBACKE, son of Serigne Mustapha Bassirou
Shaykh Fatma MBACKE, son of Serigne Mustapha Bassirou
Khadim Diop, nephew of Serigne Mustapha Bassirou
Ousmane Thiam,secretary of Serigne Mustapha Bassirou