Des rizières et des vaches

Located on both banks of the Senegal River, the part of the ancient kingdom of Waalo lying in Senegal has been at the center of debates about Third World development. The year 1985 is considered to be a turning point in this area's agricultural history. J.-F. Tourrand's thesis provides a detailed sescription of this area just prior to these changes and analyses, on the basis of firsthand information, developments from 1985 to 1990. The dikes built along the river in the 1960s signaled the agricultural colonization of this area. Inthe 1970s, a policy was pursued for setting up agroindustrial establishments; and the dam was finished that would provide a fresh water reservoir. Along with these projects have come major problems of maintenance. Not having been taken into account, pastoral activities are endangered.