Youth and Women Spearhead Agricultural Renaissance in Senegal

Youth and Women Spearhead Agricultural Renaissance in Senegal
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 05, 2024

A new study underscores the crucial roles that youth and women play in Senegal's agricultural landscape, as detailed in "Evaluating rural household well-being and empowerment among women and young farmers in Senegal," published in Data in Brief. Conducted by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, the survey involved over 1,500 smallholder farms in the Sedhiou and Tambacounda regions, revealing significant knowledge gaps in farming practices under changing climatic conditions.

Researchers highlight the agricultural sector's vital contribution to Senegal's GDP, with 15% in 2018, and the dependency of 60% of the rural population on farming for their livelihoods. The study emphasizes the demographic shift towards a younger population, with more than 60% under 25, and rural women constituting 70% of the workforce and producing 80% of the national food supply.

Despite their significant contributions, women and youth face systemic barriers in farm decision-making, access to resources, and land ownership, often relegated to less lucrative supply chain roles. The survey reveals that many women lack access to mobile phones, limiting their ability to adopt innovations and access vital information.

Cyrus Muriithi and Issa Ouedraogo, leading researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, argue for the empowerment of these groups through education, better market access, and the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. CSA aims to increase productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on improving climate information services for farmers.

The introduction of weather and climate information via text messages, providing details like the onset of the rainy season, has already made significant strides in improving farming efficiency and reducing waste. The study suggests that these practices, if scaled, could greatly benefit smallholder farms by enabling better decision-making and fostering innovation.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT has been active in Senegal since 2011, aiming to deepen its engagement through its Dakar office opened in 2022. This study serves as a foundation for formulating policies and strategies that support smallholder farming households, especially those led by women and youth, marking a step towards a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future in Senegal.

Research Report:Evaluating rural household well-being and empowerment among women and young farmers in Senegal