La recherche opérationnelle, outil d'investigation dans les exploitations agricoles de Thies-Diourbel (Sénégal)

Operational research as a tool for farming research in Thies-Diourbel (Senegal). The paper is concerned with the choice procedure of production plans at the farm level in Senegal. Two ways of intensification have been selected in order to improve the present farming system ; the first one is characterized by an averaged use of fertilizer coming along with horse power mechanization, the second one promotes high dosis of fertilizers and oxen drawn tools. Different models have been set up assuming a fair matching of the basic needs of rural population and an optimization of family welfare. Optimal solutions are displaying gross margin per labor unit much higher (73 %) when applying oxen traction rather than horse traction. Risk and uncertainty are fairly taken into account in the chosen plans.