Migration and Agroecology in West Africa

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Original Language
English
Number of Pages
18
Reference Number
PUB2020/039/EL
Date of upload

27 aoû 2020

Migration and Agroecology in West Africa

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Mobility in West African countries has long been a traditional adaptation strategy to climatic stressors. Present environmental changes are stressing the agricultural sector, which accounts for 35 per cent of West Africa’s GDP and employs over 80 per cent of the workforce. Employment in agriculture is so high that decay in agricultural production is one factor that leads to forced migration – which gives access to complementary income or better opportunities. Agroecology can play an important role in building resilience and adapting to climate change by optimizing interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment for a sustainable and fair food system. This analysis aims to expose the migration and agriculture nexus in the region, to support future policymaking and understand how a transition to agroecology can benefit populations and influence migration decisions in the context of climate change and environmental degradation.