(University of Oregon, 2013-10-03) Faye, Jean; Galvan, Dennis
Communities in the Sahel region are confronted with problems such as depletion of soil fertility, food insecurity, and climate change, which exacerbate poverty and malnutrition for the inhabitants. The farmlands in Toukar, Senegal, are rapidly denuded of native trees, mainly Acacia albida, that provide myriad benefits. Agroforestry systems, or the intentional use of trees in croplands, have become a potential vehicle to transform the capacities of subsistence farmers to achieve food security. The purpose of this study is to determine farmers' attitudes about agroforestry, who seems to practice it and support it, who is unsure about its values, and who seems opposed to it.
I find that farmers who practice a more intact historic version of the Serer farming system are the most supportive of agroforestry and tend to be wealthier, while people who are seemingly more modern are less likely to adopt it and tend to be poorer.
