Assessing heat stress vulnerability and adaptation strategies among farmers in semi-arid regions of West Africa: A case study of Senegal

Abstract

This study evaluates the heat stress intensity and frequency over Senegal where erratic and extremely variable rainfall is the primary constraint for productive and profitable farming. We used the data from NASA Power and CHIRPS for the period 1990-2021. Results showed four heat stress areas (Matam, Mbane, Gamadji Sarre and Yang- Yang) with Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) value lying below 2 (less humid) indicating limited rainfall. Ratio of dry/wet days analysis also confirmed the four regions. Based on the results, it was concluded that 80% or more reliable predictions of rainfall have the capability to make significant contributions to farm-level decision making.