Resource information
The main objective of the study is to
provide the Government of Senegal the analyses and
information to implement policies towards reducing the rural
poor's vulnerability. While during the latest years,
economic growth reduced poverty in the country, this has
been less noticeable among the rural population, who
actually account for 6 million people over a total
population of 10 million. The rural economy remains
essentially agrarian, with a 65 percent of its population
living in poverty. Natural risks are intimately linked to
the agrarian nature of the rural economy, and to its
"Sahelian" environment. Drought cycles reduce
agricultural production, thus such impact varies according
to the agricultural season, the agro-ecological zone, the
type of crops, and the presence - or not - of irrigation
systems. In addition, insects, and the disease these carry,
affect plants and animals, adding to the natural risks.
Economic risks occur, as elsewhere, due to changes in the
agricultural production and trade systems, thus affecting
revenues and the acquisition power. Moreover, the report
specifies rural populations are further exposed to health
shocks, aggravated by the obstacles in accessing health
services. Education, particularly of rural children, is
subject to several risks: total absence of school
attendance, drop-outs during the school year, or inability
to achieve sufficient basic competencies. As for social
risks, the main sources within rural areas, are on one hand,
the regional conflict in Casamance, and on the other, crime,
robberies, property conflicts, and violence, affecting
communities, and productivity. Among the recommendations,
the report stipulates financial services and revenue
diversification in rural areas are the main issues requiring
a framework on policy, and public spending. A multi-sectoral
vision of risks should help identify vicious cycles, while
its eradication will require the collaboration of various sectors.
