Local People's Perceptions of Baobab (<i>Adansonia digitata</i> L.) Technologies in Senegal

Abstract

This study analyses the perceptions of beneficiaries on market gardening and horticultural grafting technologies of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab). The study involved a representative sample of 106 individuals. The methodological approach adopted consisted of individual surveys, group interviews and statistical estimations. The Chi-square and Pearson's test of independence were used to test the dependence of perceptions on certain socio-economic characteristics (gender, source of income, etc.). Correspondence factor analysis (CFA) analyses and the non-parametric Krusall-Wallis test were applied to the frequency data matrices to relate the perception groups to the extended technologies and villages. The results showed that management style (p=0.003) and beneficiaries' access to high trees (p=0.04) differed between sites. However, the level of accessibility determines the satisfaction of fresh leaf needs which also induces the level of adoption of the technologies by the beneficiaries. In addition, it is shown that the reasons for adoption such as ease of collection, proximity, fruiting of large trees (p=0.04), depend significantly on gender and justify some of the changes made such as the reduction of time spent searching for leaves in the bush. The results obtained will be used in future campaigns to introduce grafting and baobab market gardening technologies. Indeed, the socio-economic determinants found will be mobilized to increase the adoption rates of baobab technologies and, more globally, of reforestation campaigns in Senegal.