Livestock models for policy analysis and planning Sahel farm model: A Satellite Model of the United African Development Models: user's guides

Abstract

The Sahel Farm Model (SFM), developed within the United Africa Development Models (UAM) framework, addresses sustainable agricultural development and food security through a holistic farm-level approach. Integrated into the Strategic Planning and Management of Interventions (SPMI), SFM employs Mathematical Programming to optimize farm decision-making under risks such as yield and price variability. It incorporates multifaceted elements, including labor-land dynamics, subsistence strategies, and interactions with public/private sectors, aiming to enhance farmer self-reliance, mitigate poverty, and promote equitable resource conservation. SFM forms part of the broader UAM ecosystem—linked to economic (UAECO), population (UAPOP), and government (UAGVT) models—and has been tested in West/Central Africa. By prioritizing risk management and policy resilience, SFM supports sustainable production and food self-sufficiency, aligning with regional goals of collective self-reliance and poverty alleviation.