Societes rurales et developpement durable. Transformations recentes des agricultures, strategies paysannes et soutenabilite des systemes ruraux en Afrique sahelo-soudanienne: Cas du departement de Bignona (Senegal meridional).

摘要

The soudano-sahelian region is undergoing profound transformations that affect particularly the strategic sector of farming which is experiencing several social and territorial changes. The lack of knowledge about these transformations is a major obstacle for implementation of sustainable development policies. Our research aims at understanding the dynamics of these rural systems related to the evolution of political, economic and social contexts.;The thesis brings to light very important changes resulting from the union of several factors such as the inadequacy of farming policies, poverty and drought. Flooded rice-growing is no longer the dominant model. The plateau became the major scene of farming activities organized mainly around peanut cultivation and rice production based on rainfall. However, the strategies are not contrary to what one might think, those based on cash cropping and land accumulation. The study reveals that the exclusive practice of agriculture is in decline. Populations are investing in several economic areas to deal with the cereal deficit. This strategy of diversification in a variety of activities reduces exposure to risks and increases monetary incomes. The interest of these activities is in their capacity to relieve the populations. But, it remains that they are opportunistic and the investments are low.;The interest in these activities lies in their capacity to generate money flows which relieve the populations and stimulate an important economic and social development. But, on the other hand, they are unfortunately accompanied by practices which lead to fundamental changes in the socio-economic framework and farming practices. This research reveals a degradation of the environment. The living conditions of the populations, in particular of women, and soils and vegetation are experiencing increasing degradation. To reverse these negative tendencies, public authorities should support the promotion of family farming and food crops.;This research contributes to knowledge on changes in farming practices and the population's strategies to face constraints and the impact of defensives strategies on the environment.;The geographic area under study is the department of Bignona where the increasing constraints on production have forced the populations to adjust their practices to continue to satisfy their needs. The original farming system was based on flooded rice-growing, organized around deeply rooted ecological rationalities. Intelligent agricultural practices and robust social organization have allowed food self-sufficiency to be maintained in spite of low work productivity based only on human energy.;Keywords. farming, rice-growing, transformations, multiactivity, environment, defensive strategy, natural environment, degradation.