FARMLAND UTILIZATION AND CROPPING STRATEGIES DURING A WORLD FOOD CRISIS: A CASE STUDY OF RICE PRODUCERS IN THE LOWER SENEGAL RIVER VALLEY

Abstract

This study entailed an empirical investigation of farmland utilization and cropping strategies under conditions of a sharp increase, followed by a collapse, in rice prices. The results are based on a fi eld survey conducted by the author in Village T in the Lower Senegal River Valley, the center of rice production in Senegal. This paper fi rst discusses the exploitation and rehabilitation of farmland under conditions of increased rice prices, along with agricultural programs of the Senegalese government. Increased rice prices and the implementation of programs allowed villagers to reinforce a foundation for their livelihoods through collective effort. Next, the paper describes farmland utilization and farming expenses under conditions of price increases and collapse and demonstrates how the villagers use rice as a subsistence crop and plant tomatoes as their main cash crop to ensure their own food security. The results reveal that the villagers have planned several alternatives and apply these options under specifi c political, economic, or social conditions.