Unlocking Sustainable Intensification: Farmer Insights from Senegal River Valley

Kurzfassung

The rapid increase in population and the scarcity of agricultural resources in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) present substantial challenges to the sustainable productivity of agriculture. Sustainable intensification (SI) practices are gaining attention as a promising approach to enhance food security and farmers' livelihoods while curtailing environmental degradation. The fundamental objective of SI practices is to enhance the productivity and efficiency of agricultural systems within the same geographical area while concomitantly mitigating the adverse environmental impacts. SI practices, including Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and System of Rice Intensification (SRI), have been identified as promising solutions. However, their adoption remains limited due to unfulfilled expectations, challenges related to the local context, lack of financial capital and perceived shortcomings. This study explores the perceptions of small-scale farmers regarding the effects of sustainable intensification practices, with a particular focus on ISFM and SRI in two regions of northern Senegal. Specifically, the study i) examines farmers perception of ISFM and SRI effects on productivity, resource use, production costs and effort, quality of life, and well-being; ii) evaluates the gap between trainings received and expected, iii) assesses effects on youth and women, and iv) identifies reasons for dis-adoption and limited scaling. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire, administered to 500 farmers across the two regions in the Senegal River Valley: Podor and Dagana. Results revealed heterogenous responses across the regions. Crop rotation has been identified as the most common ISFM practice in both regions, followed by crop association and organic fertilizers (in Podor), and crop-livestock integration (in Dagana ). ISFM in Dagana is associated with higher yields, lower costs, and general improvement in quality of life, although water use remains a concern. In Podor, ISFM benefits are less clear, with many farmers reporting no improvements in yields or quality of life. Regarding SRI, most farmers have received so far only a minimal one-time training or non, contrary to their expectation of more than three training sessions for a proper comprehensive of the technology. SRI practices such as plant replication and soil drainage are commonly implemented, while seeding in lines and mechanical weeding are rarely adopted. Youth involvement in the practice of SRI is increasing, though with a low presence in Farmers Field Schools (FFS), and farmers perceive it as reducing women's labour but increasing men's workload. Primary reasons for SRI abandonment include lack of equipment, insufficient trained labor, irrigation challenges and the arduous and time-consuming nature of the work in the SRI process. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring interventions and training to the specific needs and realities to support the broader adoption of SRI in the Senegal River Valley.