Find out how Humundi (formerly SOS Faim) is working in Senegal to create a sustainable and prosperous future by supporting small-scale farming.
Our work in
The context
In Senegal, 72% of the population earns its living from agriculture, and the vast majority of this population is made up of small family farms. These farms receive very little government support for the development of their agricultural activities.
The acceleration of climate change is having a direct impact on the rural population (53.3% of the total population). In addition, demographic pressure, poor farming practices such as the increasing use of pesticides, monoculture and unsuitable animal husbandry practices have all contributed to a marked loss of soil fertility and biodiversity. All of this is contributing to a growing risk of food insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
The Fatick region in western Senegal is experiencing chronic food insecurity and is unable to produce enough to ensure its food self-sufficiency. This low agricultural productivity has increased Senegal’s dependence on food imports.
Women are the hardest hit by poverty, due to major inequalities between men and women and the low literacy rate among adult women (19%) compared with men (51%). Despite favorable laws (rape discrimination, parity in institutions, etc.), their application often comes up against cultural constraints.
Humundi’s work in Senegal
Humundi has been supporting small-scale farming in Senegal since the late 1980s. Our action now consists of supporting the dynamics of agro-ecological transition at all levels:
- Supporting farmers’ organizations by strengthening agroecological production techniques and practices and disseminating them on a large scale.
- Professionalizing farmers’ organizations in their economic service activities, such as supplying seeds and collecting and processing products (fonio, cowpeas, rice, etc.), including access to finance.
- Raising awareness and providing support to local players – municipalities or departments – about the issues involved in sustainable food systems.
- Communicating with and raising awareness among the general public (workshops, film debates, local and national radio programmes) about these same issues, and lobbying the Senegalese authorities.
Support for social dynamics aimed at creating development opportunities for young people and women in particular:
- Support for community awareness-raising activities on women’s and young people’s rights; training on female leadership and public speaking; development of action plans for gender mainstreaming in partner organizations.
- Support for the dynamics of farmers’ organizations aimed at promoting the activities of young people in rural areas.
Key figures in Senegal – 2023
11
Partners
1
Rural finance institution
8
Farmers’ organizations
2
Local NGOs
86 891
Beneficiaries
977 K€
Invested
Our countries
of action
We work in nine countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America to promote sustainable food systems. Working closely with local partners, we provide support tailored to each context to generate a positive impact.
