World Bank Project Brings Food Security from Sustainable Land Management in Senegal

land degradation is increasingly affecting land resources in Senegal: almost two-thirds of the arable land, about 2.5 million hectares, is degraded. Soil fertility depletion is one of the main causes of stagnating agricultural productivity and, consequently, one of the major constraints to agricultural and economic growth.

Senegal’s territorial ecosystems and their products are an important part of its natural wealth and essential to the country’s food security. But because most of the rural population heavily depends on land resources for its livelihood, increasing land degradation reduces their livelihood options and income-generating opportunities, thus exacerbating their poverty and vulnerability.

In the small village of Wellou Bell, a World Bank–funded sustainable land management (SLM) project was critical in addressing land degradation and subsequently contributed to food security. By making water available in Wellou Bell through water retention, the project allowed pastoralists to stay longer in their villages, therefore increasing the amount of milk provided to the communities. This sedentary period also increased the manure and improved soil fertility. In addition, because Wellou Bell is a crossroad village, the pond is used by about 2,000 cattle and 15,000 sheep and goats in transhumance from all regions. As a result of these efforts, Wellou Bell has become a vibrant community, animated by the social and economic activities.

Many other villages and communities benefitted from this SLM project. The 20,066 hectares of land recovered using SLM practices contributed to food security, income generation and improved living conditions, including better health and education.

The improved soil fertility translated into an increase of production of the main staples: millet production rose from 550 to 850 kilograms per hectare by fighting the millet wild weed Striga helmonthic; rice production rose from 1,200 to 2,300 kilograms per hectare with the use of peanut shell; and

peanut production from 600 to 1,400 kilograms with the use of organic fertilizer. Furthermore, nurseries built for fruit and plant production and their associated gardening activities had significant positive impacts on resident’s nutrition in the short run.

The SLM project brought a dynamic change at the grassroots level by empowering women to purchase or request land ownership as individuals or as a group. The introduction of certain technologies like fruit and tree planting, usually dedicated to women, made them even more involved in the production and reinforced the need to change the rules of land tenure. The diffusion of technologies responding to women-specific needs, like improved charcoal-saving stoves and biogas from manure, reduced the time women spend collecting wood and gave them more time to devote to productive activities. The 6,600 improved charcoal-saving stoves distributed to women added to the success in the fight against deforestation by reducing the pressure on natural resources.

Web site: www.worldbank.org

Before the project, my agricultural production covered just about 3 months of my household consumption needs. With the organic amendment with the project, my yield increased by 50%. This allowed me to feed my family for 7 to 8 months.

—Producer from Meouane

I have abandoned my land for years because it was invaded by salt. With the anti-salt dam built by the project, I can now access my village even in rainy season and grow rice on my farm. From November to May 2012, I managed to produce enough rice to feed my family. —Fatou Faye, female head of household and rice producer from Simal With the 30,000 plants produced by the project, we hope to turn our local landscape green in the near future. Before, I spent FCFA 300 (US$0.6) per day to buy wood for cooking, with the improved charcoal-saving stoves, I only spent FCFA 100 (US$0.2). Now my house is cleaner and the fire risks are reduced. —Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye, female leader, president of CLCOP in Notto Diobass

I migrated to the city of Thies as a cab driver but I came back to the village because of the project. With my agroforestry activities and the use of compost, I am earning more than in town.

—Young man, Notto Diobass