Climate change and fishermen's production systems

The rural Commune of Kewa, in the Cercle de Djenn (Mopti region), is strongly affected by climatic variability, which in turn affects economic activities, particularly fishing. This study aims to analyze the influence of this variability on the economic diversification of local fishermen. To this end, data were collected from 130 people, including fishermen and experts, in this area of the Inner Niger Delta. Fluctuations in river levels, linked to climate (lower rainfall, higher temperatures, droughts) and human factors, have an impact on the availability of fishery resources. Faced with these challenges, fishermen have adopted diversified coping strategies: agriculture, village irrigation schemes, market gardening, mango cultivation, pirogue building, migration, and intensification of the fishing effort. This diversification reduces exclusive dependence on fishing and mitigates climatic risks. It therefore appears to be a key strategy for ensuring the resilience and sustainable development of Kewa communities in the face of increasing climatic variability.