Grain Demand and Consumer Preferences Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

Nearly 30% of Senegal's grain consumption is met by commercial imports, mainly for the urban Dakar population. Official Senegalese policy is to promote food self-sufficiency by increased domestic rice, millet and maize production. The author addresses two central issues: first, will the domestically produced rice be acceptable to the urban population?; and seond, will the urban population consume more millet and maize as a result? Using survey data collected in Dakar in 1977–1978, the author describes the grain purchasing and consumption patterns of the sample, and focuses on the implications for national food self-sufficiency.