FARMERS PERSPECTIVES ON INTENSIVE RICE CULTIVATION: A PARTICIPATORY DIAGNOSIS OF PRACTICES, CONSTRAINTS, AND CO-CONSTRUCTED SOLUTIONS IN THE MIDDLE SENEGAL RIVER VALLEY

Achieving rice self-sufficiency under a changing climate remains a major challenge for Senegal and requires the sustainable intensification of irrigated rice production in the middle Senegal River Valley (SRV). This study aimed to diagnose current farming practices, identify the main constraints affecting rice production, and propose context-specific improvement options through a participatory approach. The study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 in six villages of middle SRV (Niangua Diéri, Ndiawar, Guia, Kodith, Niandane, and Ngaolé). It combined participatory workshops involving researchers and key stakeholders with field surveys assessing the management of irrigation schemes and rice production practices. The surveys covered irrigation infrastructure, water management, fertilizer use, mechanization, and crop management practices.The results revealed major constraints to rice production include the poor condition of irrigation infrastructure, inadequate maintenance of canals and pumping systems, inefficient water distribution and plot-level water management, weed infestation, bird damage, declining soil fertility, and high irrigation costs. Fertilization relied predominantly on urea (46% N) and diammonium phosphate (DAP),reflecting farmers’ dependence on subsidized mineral fertilizers, while the use of organic amendments remained limited. The participatory diagnosis also highlighted deficiencies in fertilizer and irrigation management, particularly non-compliance with recommended fertilizer application rates and irrigation water depths.