TYPOLOGY OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS: CHARACTERIZATION AND ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL CREDIT IN THE GROUNDNUT BASIN OF SENEGAL

This study aimed to characterize farming systems and assess access to agricultural credit in Senegals Peanut Basin. A total of 503 producers from Kaffrine and Kaolack were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed through hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, and analysis of variance. Five farm types emerged. Type 1 (56.7%) producers sell directly to Lumas, lack irrigation, and have no access to credit. Type 2 (14.9%) cultivate the largest areas and invest heavily in inputs, but face repayment constraints and limited credit information. Type 3 (0.06%) sell directly to consumers, do not belong to organizations, yet access the highest agricultural loans, though they struggle to secure inputs; they earn the highest livestock income. Type 4 (16.9%) belong mostly to producer organizations, sell via intermediaries, self-finance or obtain loans from mfis/PAMECAS, and secure the largest credit amounts, but lack collateral. Type 5 (0.05%) cultivate the smallest plots, rely on equity or bank loans, and obtain the lowest credit due to high interest rates, which also limit access to inputs. Future research will analyze the impact of credit on agricultural productivity among types 3, 4, and 5.