Agriculture, livelihoods and climate change in the West African Sahel

• Published in: Regional environmental change Vol. 11; no. Suppl 1; pp. 119 - 125
• Main Authors: Sissoko, K, Keulen, H. van, Verhagen, A, Tekken, V, Battaglini, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: 20th-century; Agricultural industry; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Alternative energy sources; burkina-faso; Climate Change; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Desertification; Drought; dynamics; Earth and Environmental Science; Economic impact; Environment; Environmental degradation; farm; Farmers; Farming; Food supply; Geography; Global temperature changes; Households; Irrigation water; level; Natural resources; Nature Conservation; Oceanography; Original Article; Poverty; Rain and rainfall; rainfall; Rainy season; Regional/Spatial Science; Rural development; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable practices; Warning systems; Water management; Weather; Sahel; Africa; Climate change; Agriculture; Food security; Sahel; Livelihoods
• ISSN: 1436-3798; 1436-378X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10113-010-0164-y

The West African Sahel is a harsh environment stressed by a fast-growing population and increasing pressure on the scarce natural resources. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the majority of the people living in the area. Increases in temperature and/or modifications in rainfall quantities and distribution will substantially impact on the natural resource on which agriculture depends. The vulnerability of livelihoods based on agriculture is increased and most likely exacerbate and accelerate the current ‘downward spiral’ of underdevelopment, poverty and environmental degradation. Notably, droughts, a short rainy season and/or very low rainfall will be felt by current systems. To cope with the difficult climatic situation, farm households have developed a range of strategies including selling of animals and on-farm diversification or specialization. At regional level, early warning systems including an operational agro-meteorological information system already provide farmers with crucial information. Substantial political, institutional and financial efforts at national and international level are indispensable for the sustenance of millions of lives. In terms of development, priority needs to be given to adaptation and implementation of comprehensive programs on water management and irrigation, desertification control, development of alternative sources of energy and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers.