ABSTRACT
Rapid population growth, changes in demographic structure, and strong urbanization are key characteristics of Senegal’s development that have implications for food security. Despite recent progress, agriculture is unable to cover the country’s food demand, which is heavily dependent on food imports. In this chapter, we analyse the historical reasons for the dependence on food imports and question whether profound structural changes will be possible by 2050 and under what conditions. Our analysis shows that the prospects of meeting food needs in 2050 through domestic production are unlikely. The performance of agriculture in semi-arid zones, under the strong influence of climate change, and a growing, urbanizing population, with diets based on outward-looking preferences, constitute serious handicaps. Only resolute decisions to transform local food systems can gradually lead to genuine food sovereignty. These include the scaling up of promising innovations in the production segment, the implementation of a clear strategy for processing agricultural products within the main value chains, and the diversification of diets and their close links with domestic producers’ choices.
