ABSTRACT

Rainfed farmers in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa have long adapted to variable growing conditions. Today, in response to intersecting pressures from climate change, soil fertility loss, and socioeconomic change associated with globalization, these farmers are working to build more resilient livelihood systems. This study examines farmers' perceptions of environmental change and socioeconomic transition in Senegal and the drivers and constraints on their adaptive responses, with particular attention to the interplay of on- and non-farm livelihood strategies amid concerns about changing weather. Semi-structured interviews with 47 farmers provide insight into individual lived experiences while surveys and multinomial regression drawing data from approximately 500 farmers point to broader patterns in perceptions and adaptive strategies. The findings indicate that most Senegalese farmers perceive substantial environmental change that is amplifying ongoing processes of agrarian change, increasing reliance on non-farm livelihoods and youth migration in particular. While the most resource-constrained farmers rely primarily on prayer—likely an expression of limited alternative strategies—those most concerned about weather changes turn to diversified livelihood strategies. This study illustrates an evolving relationship between farmers and non-farm work amid environmental and socioeconomic change in rural Africa, with implications for development initiatives aimed at supporting farmer adaptation to climate change.

摘要

苏丹-萨赫勒西部非洲的雨养农民早已适应了多变的生长条件。今天，为了应对气候变化、土壤肥力丧失和与全球化相关的社会经济变化带来的交叉压力，这些农民正在努力建立更具弹性的生计系统。本研究考察了农民对塞内加尔环境变化和社会经济转型的看法，以及他们的适应性反应的驱动因素和制约因素，特别关注在对天气变化的担忧中农业和非农业生计策略的相互作用。对 47 名农民的半结构化访谈提供了对个人生活经历的深入了解，而调查和多项回归从大约 500 名农民中提取的数据指出了更广泛的认知模式和适应策略。调查结果表明，大多数塞内加尔农民认为环境发生了重大变化，这正在放大正在进行的农业变化过程，尤其是对非农业生计和青年移民的依赖增加。虽然最受资源限制的农民主要依靠祈祷——可能是有限替代策略的一种表现——但那些最关心天气变化的人转向多样化的生计策略。本研究说明了非洲农村环境和社会经济变化中农民与非农业工作之间不断发展的关系，对旨在支持农民适应气候变化的发展举措产生了影响。越来越依赖非农业生计，尤其是青年移民。虽然最受资源限制的农民主要依靠祈祷——可能是有限替代策略的一种表现——但那些最关心天气变化的人转向多样化的生计策略。本研究说明了非洲农村环境和社会经济变化中农民与非农业工作之间不断发展的关系，对旨在支持农民适应气候变化的发展举措产生了影响。越来越依赖非农业生计，尤其是青年移民。虽然最受资源限制的农民主要依靠祈祷——可能是有限替代策略的一种表现——但那些最关心天气变化的人转向多样化的生计策略。本研究说明了非洲农村环境和社会经济变化中农民与非农业工作之间不断发展的关系，对旨在支持农民适应气候变化的发展举措产生了影响。