Sustainable food systems and natural resource management in Senegal

Background

In Senegal, despite the importance of the primary sector, its agro-pastoral potential, and the efforts made in recent programs aimed at food self-sufficiency (PRACAS, PNAR, etc.), the population remains heavily dependent on imports. Two factors explain this food dependency: (i) the low price of imported food and (ii) population growth of 2.5% per year combined with an urbanization rate of 3.3% per year, which are driving an increase in demand, particularly in large urban centers.

Furthermore, the attractiveness of rural areas and the agricultural sector remains limited. The constraints on agriculture are significant and the development of value chains can be complicated. The integration of young people in rural areas and their takeover and modernization of family farms is a major challenge for sustainable food systems.

Women play an important role in Senegalese agriculture. Although they do not constitute a homogeneous social group, they share a number of common challenges:

It is generally women who take care of the aftermath of agricultural production. Surpluses are either kept for home consumption or sold (and therefore sometimes processed), contributing in both cases to household consumption.

On the issue of land ownership, both socially and culturally, women are generally disadvantaged compared to men. Despite the law on national property, they do not have equal access to land. In a context marked by privatization, pressure, and land speculation, this inequality tends to increase.

Women’s work is divided between domestic duties and productive activities. Although women are a pillar of the family, their role is often not recognized and does not give them access to decision-making.