The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa

Severe food insecurity in Senegal, exacerbated by climate shocks and weak infrastructure, underscores the need to understand the role of market vendors in food system resilience. Unlike producers, vendors remain understudied despite their central role in food access. This mixed-methods study examine...

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Autores principales: Muriithi, Cyrus K, Chege, Christine Kiria, Ouedraogo, Issa, Mwongera, Caroline
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier BV 2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180229
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author Muriithi, Cyrus K
Chege, Christine Kiria
Ouedraogo, Issa
Mwongera, Caroline
author_browse Chege, Christine Kiria
Muriithi, Cyrus K
Mwongera, Caroline
Ouedraogo, Issa
author_facet Muriithi, Cyrus K
Chege, Christine Kiria
Ouedraogo, Issa
Mwongera, Caroline
author_sort Muriithi, Cyrus K
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Severe food insecurity in Senegal, exacerbated by climate shocks and weak infrastructure, underscores the need to understand the role of market vendors in food system resilience. Unlike producers, vendors remain understudied despite their central role in food access. This mixed-methods study examines how product diversity, measured using the Shannon-Wiener index, influences Market Vendor Adaptive Capacity (MVAC) among 691 vendors in Sedhiou and Tambacounda. Survey and interview data reveal that diversity enhances MVAC, particularly for small retail and open-air vendors offering both staple foods and nutrient-rich products. Vendor characteristics such as employing staff, extending credit, and participating in training further strengthen adaptability, while systemic constraints like poor infrastructure and high transport costs limit benefits, especially in rural areas. Results indicate that diversity functions less as an independent driver and more as a strategic outcome of vendor capacity, reframing its role within resilience theory. The study contributes by (1) linking product diversity to adaptive capacity, (2) identifying enabling and constraining factors, and (3) outlining policy directions, including infrastructure investment, financial support, and vendor training. Strengthening these areas can expand food access, bolster resilience, and advance Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) in Senegal with implication for West Africa.
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spelling CGSpace1802292026-01-21T02:08:30Z The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa Muriithi, Cyrus K Chege, Christine Kiria Ouedraogo, Issa Mwongera, Caroline adaptation food security market access diversification Severe food insecurity in Senegal, exacerbated by climate shocks and weak infrastructure, underscores the need to understand the role of market vendors in food system resilience. Unlike producers, vendors remain understudied despite their central role in food access. This mixed-methods study examines how product diversity, measured using the Shannon-Wiener index, influences Market Vendor Adaptive Capacity (MVAC) among 691 vendors in Sedhiou and Tambacounda. Survey and interview data reveal that diversity enhances MVAC, particularly for small retail and open-air vendors offering both staple foods and nutrient-rich products. Vendor characteristics such as employing staff, extending credit, and participating in training further strengthen adaptability, while systemic constraints like poor infrastructure and high transport costs limit benefits, especially in rural areas. Results indicate that diversity functions less as an independent driver and more as a strategic outcome of vendor capacity, reframing its role within resilience theory. The study contributes by (1) linking product diversity to adaptive capacity, (2) identifying enabling and constraining factors, and (3) outlining policy directions, including infrastructure investment, financial support, and vendor training. Strengthening these areas can expand food access, bolster resilience, and advance Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) in Senegal with implication for West Africa. 2026 2026-01-20T14:45:42Z 2026-01-20T14:45:42Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180229 en Open Access application/pdf Elsevier BV Muriithi, C.K.; Chege, C.K.; Ouedraogo, I.; Mwongera, C. (2025) The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa. Sustainable Futures 11: 101593. ISSN: 2666-1888
spellingShingle adaptation
food security
market access
diversification
Muriithi, Cyrus K
Chege, Christine Kiria
Ouedraogo, Issa
Mwongera, Caroline
The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title_full The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title_fullStr The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title_full_unstemmed The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title_short The role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food-system resilience in Senegal, West Africa
title_sort role of product diversification in enhancing market vendor adaptability and food system resilience in senegal west africa
topic adaptation
food security
market access
diversification
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/180229
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