5.2 Vegetation

5.2 Vegetation

By: Chenshuo Li

Senegal is vulnerable to shocks associated with climate change, particularly floods and droughts. Due to climate variability, its magnitude and duration are expected to increase. These challenges have exacerbated the current pressure on small farmhouses, which have been under pressure due to land overexploitation, short rainfall periods, and soil degradation (Kaira Looro, 2021).

Senegal is a net food importer, especially rice, which accounts for nearly 75% of cereal imports (Diagne et al, 2013). Although over 60% of Senegal’s population engaged in agriculture and ninety percent of agricultural land is operated by small-scale, family-based farms engaged in subsistence agriculture, agricultural products account for only 14.79% of GDP (World Bank, 2021). One of the main reasons causing this phenomenon is because farming systems are mostly rain-fed. And Rain-fed farmers are very vulnerable to climate change. The productivity of most agriculture in Senegal is generally low because farming is widely carried out on soils with little rainfall during the dry season and little nutrient input (Diagne et al, 2013).

The project is located within Tanaff valley, the Sedhiou region which is commonly agricultural. The valley is characterized by a rural environment. Due to the lack of accessibility to basic public services, the quality of life in Sedhiou is among the lowest in the country(Kaira Looro 2021). To make the right decision on the most suitable plants/crop food to grow in the Women's Centre, it is essential to have sufficient knowledge of the local landscape, climate, and cultural information before the construction phase. The vegetation required for the project landscape can be divided into two categories: vegetation that meets the dietary needs of residents; and vegetation to achieve aesthetic effects. It also requires that the vegetation selected for the landscape must be suitable for the local climate and geological conditions.

Senegal is frequently affected by climate changes and fluctuations such as hotter and drier conditions, oscillations in precipitation patterns, extreme events such as floods and droughts, as well as slowonset and incremental environmental changes such as land degradation, salinisation, and desertification (Hummel, 2016).

From a geomorphological perspective, the terrain is predominantly clay-sand. The low temperature varies from 16°C in December to 23°C in June, with high temperatures range from 31°C in August to 43°C in May and humidity of up to 90% (Kaira Looro, 2021). From June to October, the average rainfall in a rainy season reaches 1000-1200 mm/year. The dry season lasts from seven months to ten months and alternates with the rainy season (Kaira Looro, 2021).

Furthermore, Senegal’s dominant vegetation commodities are groundnuts, including peanuts, grown as a cash crop for export markets, rice, sorghum, and millet, followed by fruits, including watermelons, cashews, and mangoes and vegetables, including tomatoes and onions. These vegetations are also the primary food crops grown for the local market. These vegetations will also be considered to be planted in the demonstrative vegetable garden. Therefore, drought-resistant vegetables are prioritized considered to plant in the vegetable garden for the landscape design, because they meet the requirement of the climate and dietary needs of the local community for the project. And then by planting a variety of different main local crops, we can more effectively help them understand and learn useful agriculture through farming activities.

Table 16 Drought and Heat-tolerant Vegetations to be planted in the Demonstration Farm

Identified Vegetation Nutritional Benefit

Watermelon. (Barksdale, 2020) Watermelon has a high water content and a good source of vitamin C and contains vitamin B5, potassium, copper, and vitamin A.

Brown Onion (Gedrovicha, 2018) Their main fibres, fructans, can feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. Containing the right amount of vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium, they have many benefits

Tomato (Hello4Eos, 2019) A great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K

Peanuts (Jantra, 2020) Provide healthy fats and high-quality protein source of biotin, copper, niacin, folate, manganese, vitamin E, thiamine, phosphorus, and magnesium

Mango Trees (Barksdale, 2019)

Sweet Potato (Yotrak, 2014)

African Eggplant (African Farming, 2020)

Cassava (Tinglee 1631, 2016) Good source of vitamin C, mango has many various types of polyphenols which function as antioxidant

Good source of vitamins like Vitamin C, A, B6 and also rich in fibre and minerals and high in antioxidant

Great source of vitamins and minerals which includes vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, fibre, folic acid, potassium which are benefits to health

A good source of vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Cassava leaves can contain up to 25 percent protein.

Okra, (Yotrak, 2017)

Green Beans, (Kerr, 2011) Rich in many nutrients and especially high in vitamins C, A and K. It also Contains beneficial antioxidants. And May benefit with lower heart disease risk and lower the blood sugar.

Good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Protein Also a good source of minerals, particularly manganese which is good for bone health and wound healing