Hydro-Agricultural Strategies for Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Diouloulou, Senegal

Rice cultivation in the Casamance region of Senegal has historically depended on a delicate balance of hydrological and ecological conditions, particularly within mangrove-influenced landscapes. Prior to the recurrent drought episodes of the 1970s and 1980s, the region experienced a relatively humid climate that supported productive rice farming systems, notably the traditional “salty rice” cultivation practiced by Diola farmers for centuries. These farmers developed sophisticated water management techniques that enabled the reclamation of mangrove mudflats for agriculture, ensuring food security and sustaining local economies through surplus production and trade. However, prolonged drought conditions disrupted this equilibrium, leading to increased soil salinization, acidification, and water scarcity, which rendered many rice fields unproductive and contributed to widespread land abandonment. In response, post-independence development initiatives sought to modernize rice production through improved drainage systems and hydro-agricultural infrastructure aimed at restoring soil quality and enhancing water control. Despite early experimental efforts between 1963 and 1975, technical shortcomings and limited understanding of soil acidification processes resulted in failure. Subsequent strategies in the 1970s and 1980s introduced dam construction projects, such as those at Guidel and Affiniam, designed to regulate tidal flows using flap gate systems to manage salinity and improve soil conditions. While these interventions reflected significant efforts toward revitalizing rice cultivation in the region, their outcomes highlight the complexity of managing coastal agro-ecosystems under changing climatic conditions