Drought in Malem-Hodar and Koungheul: The distress of farmers without harvests

In several villages in the Malem-Hodar and Koungheul departments, hopes for a good harvest have gradually faded. In the millet, maize, and peanut fields, farmers are witnessing the extent of the damage caused by severe rainfall deficits and prolonged dry spells. In some areas, farmers are already declaring the agricultural season a complete loss.

The follow-up tour carried out by the Aar Sunu Moomeel movement made it possible to assess the seriousness of the situation in several localities, notably in Malem Thialène and Malem Thiérine (commune of Sagna), in Fass Bamba (commune of Fass Thiéckène), as well as in Darou Salam and Médina Salam (commune of Saly Escale).

In Malem Thialène, Mor Ba makes no secret of his dismay at the sight of devastated fields: “We are severely impacted this year by the lack of rainfall. We have no hope left for this season. All our millet, corn, and peanut fields are affected, suffering from both the lack of water and insect infestations. We are appealing to the Senegalese government for assistance. This year, we risk harvesting nothing.”

Huge investments gone up in smoke

The situation is just as alarming in Medina Salam, in the municipality of Saly Escale. Standing before a cornfield of over 80 hectares, Cheikh Omar Lo points out the damage caused by a prolonged dry spell that occurred right in the middle of the flowering season: “The drought hit when the plants needed water the most. Today, in this village, we won't harvest a single kilogram of corn, millet, or peanuts.”

Behind these compromised harvests, significant capital is being lost. The producer indicates having invested nearly two million CFA francs in his farm. "How will we overcome this crisis and the looming food insecurity? The livestock will suffer as well. That is why we urge the authorities to take emergency measures to help us get through this ordeal."

In Fass Bamba (Fass Thiéckène commune), Imam Abdoulaye Sall also laments the lack of institutional support on the ground: “The Aar Sunu Moomeel movement came to inquire about the disaster affecting our crops. It is a critical situation. But so far, no administrative, local, or ministerial authority has come to assess the damage or offer us any support.”

The shadow of a food and social crisis

For households in these localities, whose livelihood depends exclusively on the land, crop loss directly threatens food security, family income and the survival of livestock.

Bassirou Ba, a member of the Aar Sunu Moomeel delegation , makes a solemn appeal to the public authorities: “We are issuing a warning to the State. In these villages, the people live exclusively from agriculture. This tour has allowed us to see a reality on the ground that contrasts sharply with the theoretical assessments. If nothing is done quickly, the agricultural difficulties will turn into a serious food and social crisis.”

Faced with this widespread distress, producers in Malem-Hodar and Koungheul are now awaiting a national emergency plan to support affected families and preserve the lean season ahead.