@article{fdi:010091409,
  title = {{A}n interdisciplinary approach to understand the resilience of agrosystems in the {S}ahel and {W}est {A}frica},
  author = {{D}escroix, {L}uc and {L}uxereau, {A}. and {L}ambert, {L}.{A}. and {R}u{\¨e}, {O}. and {D}iedhiou, {A}. and {D}iongue-{N}iang, {A}. and {D}ia, {A}.{H}. and {G}angneron, {F}. and {M}anga, {S}.{P}. and {D}iedhiou, {A}.{B}. and {A}ndrieu, {J}. and {C}hevalier, {P}. and {F}aty, {B}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}ub-{S}aharan {A}frican farmers have long been portrayed with very negative representations, at least since the beginning of coordinated {E}uropean colonialism in the late 19th century. {I}n the {S}ahel-{S}udan area, agrosystems have been described as overgrazed, forests as endangered, and soils as overexploited, with local and traditional ?archaic? practices. {A}gainst this background, the objective of this article is to focus on these agrosystems' resilience, for which several criteria have been monitored. {T}he approach used in this research was to synthesize observations from a large amount of material gathered over multiple years by the authors, drawing on our long-term commitment to, and inter-disciplinary study of, the evolution of surface hydrology, ecosystems, and agrosystems of {W}est {A}frica. {T}he positive trends in rainfall and streamflows, reinforced by farmer's practices, confirm the overall regreening and reforestation of the {S}ahel-{S}udan strip, especially in areas with high population densities, including the mangrove areas. {T}he intensification of agricultural systems and the recovery of the water-holding capacity of soils and catchments explain the recorded general increase in terms of food self-sufficiency in the {S}ahel, as well as in crops yields and food production. {F}inally, we compare the neo-{M}althusian discourse to the actual resilience of these agrosystems. {T}he article concludes with a recommendation calling for the empowerment of smallholder farmers to take greater advantage of the current wet period. {O}verall, the speed of change in knowledge and know-how transfer and implementation, and the farmers' ability to adapt to ecological and economic crises, must be highlighted. {F}ar from being resistant to change, {W}est {A}frican agriculturalists innovate, experiment, borrow, transform, and choose according to their situation, projects, and social issues.},
  keywords = {{AFRIQUE} {DE} {L}'{OUEST} ; {AFRIQUE} {SUBSAHARIENNE} ; {ZONE} {SOUDANOSAHELIENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}ustainability},
  volume = {16},
  numero = {13},
  pages = {5555 [19 ]},
  ISSN = {2071-1050},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.3390/su16135555},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010091409},
}