Risks in agricultural production in the Sahel are agro-ecological, economical, and social in nature. The agro-ecological risks are the rainfall variability and attacks by insects, fungus, weeds, and birds. The fact that the prices of inputs and agricultural products are not known at the time of planning the agricultural campaign also increases risks for farmers. Other factors that make the planning of the season uncertain are the social insecurity related to human illness and the difficulty to get access to manpower at an appropriate time. Such risks, combined with the low purchasing power, difficult access to inputs and credit, account for the low use of inputs in the Sahel.

However, the farmers’ ability to cope with risk should not be underestimated. According to Schults, Economics Nobel Prize laureate, farmers are rational decision makers. If they deem that technologies are not convenient to them, they do not use them. This also means that farmers are capable to assess production related risks. If they estimate that a particular technology is too risky, they will not adopt it.

The agro-ecological risks

Price related risks

Risks related to the purchase of inputs (fertilizer)

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