Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivation in the peanut center basin of Senegal: Human capital, agricultural equipment and means of storage

The production of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is strongly present in the cultivation systems of the peanut basin in Senegal. It occupies an important place in the agricultural production of the area. Unfortunately, the benefits of this crop are increasingly deteriorating due to a lack of seeds in terms of availability, a lack of agricultural materials in terms of availability and practical uses, inadequate storage facilities, and poor cultural practices. The general objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the millet cultivation and storage system in the peanut basin. The methodology used is based on a survey of millet producers using a questionnaire administered to 378 millet producers distributed between Nioro du Rip (280), Koungheul (19), Fatick, and Foundiougne (79). The results obtained showed that the majority of farmers are composed of males (71.4%). According to age, the most representative group is composed of those in the range [46-65] with 46.95% of millet farmers. P. glaucum seed varieties Souna2 (74.94%), Souna3 (61.43%), and Thialack (79.27%) are the major varieties cultivated in the Nioro department. The most commonly used cultivation equipment is distributed in Foundiougne [seeder (100%); animal traction (100%); plowing tool (95%)] and in Nioro [plowing tool (98%); seeder (92%); animal traction (91%)]. Producers who use storage areas account for 70%, while 30% do not have a storage building; based on the type, the proportion of farmers using individual storage buildings is about 86%, and those using community storage buildings are 14%. This study shows the urgent need to orient millet cultivation towards motorization and modernization of agricultural equipment and storage facilities in the central zone of the peanut basin. Key words: Millet, varieties, cultivation equipment, storage means, Pennisetum glaucum.