Senegal
Geospatial analysis of soil and climate drivers of the spatial-temporal variability in the Senegal summer crops region
Researchers: Carlos Hernandez, Luciana Nieto, Leonardo Bastos, Ana Carcedo and Ignacio Ciampitti
The aim of the project: Delimitate homogeneous zones of soil and climate to improve understanding of the spatial and temporal environmental variability of summer crops in the Senegal region and define their main drivers.
The relevancy of this work and future steps: Develop a soil and climate classification with focus on describing environmental relevant constraints of summer crops in Senegal's farming region. This work will provide information for target sites for trials which englobe the whole environmental variation, and design tailored management strategies suitable for specific regions.
Variety and management selection to optimize pearl millet yield and profit in Senegal
Researchers: Leonardo Bastos, Ignacio Ciampitti, Zachary Stewart, Doohong Min, Aliou Faye, Amadou Ka.
The aim of the project: Assess the effect of dual-purpose pearl millet varieties, planting density, and nutrient rates on biomass, grain yield, and farm profit magnitude and responsiveness.
The relevancy of this work and future steps: This work will ultimately inform smallholder farmers of the best combination of production strategies that optimize crop yield and farm profitability in face of local environmental constraints. Future steps involve finalizing data analysis, manuscript writing and publication, and integrating crop and animal models.
Examine mixed crop-livestock farming systems' suitability and land capability for agriculture productions
Researchers: Pouyan Nejadhashemi, Kieron Moller, Eeswaran Rasu and Josué Kpodo
The aim of the project: Found the type of animals in Senegal and, collected the relevant information needed to perform farm system analysis.
The relevancy of this work and future steps: Since it is not feasible to evaluate each individual farm within the study area, representative livestock farms will be developed. We will also identify the relevant livestock models that can be used for regional adaptation.
The temporal and spatial dimensions of soil moisture and climate variability on acute and chronic child malnutrition
Researchers: Molly Elizabeth Brown, Kathryn Grace, Ruthie Burrows
The aim of the project: We combine soil moisture, temperature, and precipitation with measures of acute and chronic child malnutrition to explore how climate is related to food insecurity in Senegal. We use Demographic and Health Survey data to explore the relationship climate and food insecurity varies at different temporal and spatial scales.
The relevancy of this work and future steps: This work integrates a spatial analysis of a novel measure of soil moisture with remote sensing and demographic survey data to identify the drivers and mechanisms that relate to climate and food insecurity. Future work will include: conference presentations, interviews with local partners, and manuscript publication.
Identifying opportunities for innovation via management of pearl millet systems in Senegal
Researchers: Nilson Vieira Junior, Ana Carcedo, and Ignacio Ciampitti
The aim of the project: i) evaluate the interactions between genotype, environment (weather), and management (GxExM) to optimize management and ii) develop regional-specific recommendations based on multiple GxExM scenarios simulated for pearl millet systems in Senegal.
The relevancy of this work and future steps: Based on the proposed approach, we expect to develop more relevant local-level recommendations for identifying opportunities for innovation via management, and guiding future research on promising interventions for sustainable intensification of pearl millet systems in Senegal.
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