Agricultural resilience for greater autonomy in Senegal

Like many countries in West Africa, Senegal has been hit by a changing climate. This has exacerbated the vulnerability of the rural populations, which depend mainly on agriculture for their food and economic subsistence. 

The FAR project is aimed at improving the living conditions and resilience of agricultural households, particularly women and young people, in the face of climate change in the regions of Kolda, Sédhiou and Tambacounda.

Find this article in CECI's 2023-2024 annual report

Sustainable crop intensification

The project’s primary aim is to guarantee a decent income for banana, rice, and market garden (peppers and okra) farmers. With technical and financial support and
training, we help to modernize their farms and encourage them to adopt practices adapted to the changing climate. Adapted infrastructures and the use of innovative equipment have boosted production volumes, bringing producers’ incomes along with them, while improving their working conditions, particularly for
women.

The rise in production and in the number of producers adapting their practices demonstrates how profoundly community resilience has grown in the face of climate change.

In the banana and rice sectors, women’s incomes have multiplied by 1.5 since the start of the project

This year, 1,350 people (of whom 65% were women and 40% were young people) gained skills by participating in the project’s farmer field schools

Over 1,100 more implemented new practices adapted to the climate

Adapting services for sustainable farming 

We also help to professionalize farming organizations representing numerous producers. With reinforced governance and management, three of the four organizations supported have transitioned into cooperatives, opening new markets for their members. They have also diversified and improved their services, ultimately improving performance overall.

110 people in local technical services are now able to support producers in techniques and innovative practices adapted to climate change

Transforming gender relationships

Despite being on the front lines of the climate change’s effects, women (and young people) are still barely involved in managing resources and making strategic decisions over their agricultural activities. The FAR project has reinforced their decision-making power and their access to and control of resources, including economic resources. It has enhanced their leadership within their families, their organizations, and their communities.

Today 41% of the people elected to producer organizations are women, compared to 31% when the project began

Over 83% of the water resource management committees in producer organizations now integrate the needs of women and young people

In five years, the FAR project has laid the groundwork for a sustainable development that puts women and young people at the heart of production systems and decision making.

Find this article in :

CECI's 2023-2024 annual report