With Mama Mané, agriculture becomes a driver of nutrition, income, and women’s leadership

With Mama Mané, agriculture becomes a driver of nutrition, income, and women’s leadership

In Djimassar, in Senegal’s Sédhiou region, Mama Mané’s garden has become far more than a simple cultivation space. Between rows of carrots, radishes, and okra, this farmer is gradually transforming her plot into a place of learning, nutrition, and women’s leadership. Her story illustrates how the AVENIR project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT helps translate research-based solutions into tangible changes in farmers’ fields and on the plates of rural communities in southern Senegal.

When the rain decides everything: the years when the garden fell silent

In Djimassar, the day often begins with a glance toward the sky. In this part of the Sédhiou region, agriculture still depends largely on rainfall. When the rains arrive late or disappear too early, the consequences are immediately felt in the fields.

Mama Mané knows this rhythm by heart. For many years, she farmed only during the rainy season. Once the rains ended, the soil dried out and the plot remained empty for several months.

She still remembers those periods when agricultural activity would suddenly stop.

“After the rainy season, the garden became silent. We waited for the next season to start again,” she recalls.

During those months, vegetables gradually disappeared from family meals. People had to go to the market to buy them, often at higher prices.

This situation is common in the regions of Sédhiou and Tambacounda. When seasons become unpredictable, harvests decline and dietary diversity shrinks. Families must adapt their meals based on what remains available.

For rural women, this pressure is particularly strong. They are responsible for a large share of food production and meal preparation, yet they often have less access to water, agricultural inputs, or technical training.

Mama Mané remembers that during that time, each season felt like a gamble.

“We work very hard, but if the rain does not come, everything can disappear,” she explains.

It was in this context that the AVENIR project began working in Djimassar, with the ambition of testing agricultural solutions adapted to the climatic and social realities of local communities.

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