Plaquette : Making the Senegal river navigable - IAGF 6ème session

Agri culture is one of the most important economic activities in the river basin and potential remains for development, especially in Senegal. It currently occupies half of the country's popula tion and contributes 10% of its gross national product. The Senegal River Valley therefore plays a decisive role in satisfying national food demand, the export of agricultural products and generating jobs for the young and women. Three types of agriculture are practiced : • Rain fed agriculture in the Upper Basin (maize, sorghum, water melon, etc.) • Flood recession agriculture, a traditional method still employed by more than 40,000 families at present. Flood control has reduced the importance of this pract ice which involves a wide variety of crops: maize, aubergines, tomatoes, pumpkins, rice, etc. Irrigated agriculture: t he surface areasfarmed in the 4 countries are estimated at about 130,000 ha, i.e. 60% of the surface area developed in the basin. They are used for cereals (including rice) and horticultural production (onion, tomatoes, etc.). 28 Besides agriculture, two other economic activities can be found in the basin: Livestock breeding, whose development isameansof combating poverty. lt currently employs 60% of the rural population in each of the neighbouring countries, while its contribution to GNP varies from 4 to 12% . Fishing, which is practiced in the main channel, the tributaries and flooded pools of the river. Fish production varies from 26,000 and 47,000 tonnes per year, making it one of t he most important activities in the basin.