Résumé
After the construction of dams on the Senegal River, irrigated agriculture was to gradually replace recession agriculture in the middle valley. Nevertheless, when the flood magnitude is sufficient, flood recession crops are still sown in the alluvial plain inside depressions called "cuvettes". This study, carried out between June 2016 and December 2019 in the Podorcuvette, aimed to assess the flooded and cultivated area with flood-recession crops, characterize producers and estimate productions. Out of four floods observed, three were sufficient to flood more than 1000 ha and exploit more than 400 ha with mainly sorghum associated with cowpea. The present floods are lower than before 1976, but the water withdraws earlier and the planting period is longer. Thecuvetteis exploited mainly by inhabitants of the Podor town, farmers or not, irrigators or not. Production in 2018 has been estimated at 121 tons of sorghum and cowpea grains, and 117 tons of fodder for 470 ha planted. This production is weak and erratic compared to irrigated crops, but requires no investment and crop residues provide excellent fodders. Flood recession agriculture can therefore be a profitable complementary activity for the local population. It could also be profitable within irrigated schemes in the middle valley that are floodable and therefore exploited only once a year. 50% of river flows are regulated since 1987 and this could increase to 70% in the near future following the construction of additional reservoir dams. Flood support will then become essential, despite its negative impact on hydroelectric production, if recession crops or ecosystem services sustained by flooding in the valley are to be preserved.