Analysis of the Determinants of Rice and Maize Productivity in the Southern Zone of Senegal

Abstract

Cereals occupy an important place in the consumption patterns of Senegalese populations. Among these cereals, rice and maize are expected to play a dominant role in the country's food security due to their importance in terms of the area sown. This study examines the determinants of rice and maize productivity in southern Senegal using a Cobb-Douglas production function with crosssectional survey of 913 family farms. The results show that technical support, the number of plows, and the semi-manual mode have a significant impact on the productivity of both speculations. The technical support and the number of plows lead to an increase in rice and maize production while the manual sowing mode is negatively correlated with this production. Producers should be better equipped and technically supported in order to boost cereal production in Senegal.