TITLE:
Flood-Risk Perception among Banana Producers in Tambacounda, Senegal: A Case Study Approach
AUTHORS:
Ousseynou Badji, Lamine Diop, Aminata Sarr, Ansoumana Bodian, Aliou Diop
KEYWORDS:
Tambacounda, Flood Risk Perception, Agriculture, Adaptation Strategies, Resilience
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
21,
2026
ABSTRACT: In the context of increasing climate-related flood events in eastern Senegal, understanding producers’ perceptions has become essential for assessing local vulnerability. Building on this premise, this study examines how banana producers in Tambacounda perceive and interpret flood risk through a descriptive and analytical approach combining surveys with 85 producers, systematic field observations, and supporting environmental data. Results show that from 2003 to 2024 the region experienced flooding during 11 different years, corresponding to an average recurrence interval of approximately once every two years. Findings indicate that 55% of producers attribute flooding primarily to natural drivers such as intense rainfall and river overflow, while 37% identify anthropogenic pressures including deforestation, inadequate land-use planning, and insufficient hydraulic infrastructure. Risk perception remains uneven: around 38% of respondents report strong awareness of flood hazards, whereas 35% declare limited or no knowledge, a disparity closely linked to education level and past exposure. Reported impacts include substantial agricultural production losses, irrigation constraints, and increased logistical and transportation costs. In response, producers implement a variety of individual and collective adaptation measures, from temporarily relocating production sites to installing rudimentary drainage systems, despite generally weak institutional support and limited technical assistance. from key institutions such as agricultural extension services, local disaster-management agencies (notably the Flood Prevention and Management Department), and municipal authorities, whose support in technical guidance, early-warning information, and coordinated flood-management interventions remains insufficient. Overall, these findings highlight the need to incorporate local knowledge and risk perceptions into territorial planning and disaster-prevention policies to strengthen resilience to climate-induced hazards.