How could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income women? A case study of Dakar, Senegal
Abstract
Background: Agroecology is a holistic approach that draws on ecological and social justice principles. Although there is evidence that agroecological practices can improve food security and nutrition for rural households, there is less research in urban areas. Objectives: This exploratory study in Dakar, Senegal, asks: how could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income consumers? Methods: Four market initiatives were studied that were urban/periurban, sold agroecological food products, and had low-income consumers. Three focus groups were held with women consumers, and interviews were conducted with consumers and those involved in agroecological markets. A survey was carried out with 180 consumers in 6 market sites. Results: Small-scale agroecological market initiatives were well established, relied on short chains built on trust that promoted values such as health, reduced use of chemicals, and fairness. Women who purchased agroecological foods regularly bought a diverse range of foods. One-third reported having a diet-related disease such as diabetes. Women reported consuming agroecological products either as prevention or after being diagnosed with a diet-related disease. Main motivations for consumers to purchase agroecological foods were health, taste, and avoidance of agrochemicals. Consumers noted several barriers to eating more agroecological foods, including market availability, distance, and seasonal availability of food products. Seven pathways to connect agroecology to nutrition were found: 1) agrobiodiversity, 2) livelihoods/social empowerment, 3) knowledge cocreation, 4) participation/connectivity, 5) culture and diets, 6) reduced exposure to pesticides, and 7) rights-based approaches. Conclusions: Six recommendations were identified to promote these pathways, including support for agroecological producers in urban low-income areas, support for short agroecological markets, and strengthening urban food governance. Although not generalizable, the conceptual framework addresses research gaps on the agroecology–nutrition nexus by providing food for thought for the design of interventions that aim to support agroecology and nutrition of urban low-income consumers.
Related
- Climate change adaptation barriers among beekeepers across agroecological zones in Gedeo, Ethiopia: evidence from problem confrontation index and multinomial regression
- A novel photoperiod-sensitive laying curve for modelling egg production in native chickens and the effect of black soldier fly larvae supplementation under agroecological conditions
- Rethinking agricultural equipment design by understanding its uses: three insights for the agroecological transition
- MiCampo: A Multi-Level Digital Cooperative Infrastructure for Agroecological Planning, Participatory Certification and Territorial Market Coordination
- High nutritional knowledge during adolescence is associated with healthier dietary habits in adulthood: a longitudinal cohort study
BibTeX
@article{kerr2026could,
title = {{How could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income women? A case study of Dakar, Senegal}},
author = {Rachel Bezner Kerr and Moustapha Seye and Arlène Alpha and Ninon Sirdey},
journal = {Current Developments in Nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107719},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05768436v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - How could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income women? A case study of Dakar, Senegal
AU - Rachel Bezner Kerr
AU - Moustapha Seye
AU - Arlène Alpha
AU - Ninon Sirdey
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Current Developments in Nutrition
DO - 10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107719
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05768436v1
AB - Background: Agroecology is a holistic approach that draws on ecological and social justice principles. Although there is evidence that agroecological practices can improve food security and nutrition for rural households, there is less research in urban areas. Objectives: This exploratory study in Dakar, Senegal, asks: how could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income consumers? Methods: Four market initiatives were studied that were urban/periurban, sold agroecological food products, and had low-income consumers. Three focus groups were held with women consumers, and interviews were conducted with consumers and those involved in agroecological markets. A survey was carried out with 180 consumers in 6 market sites. Results: Small-scale agroecological market initiatives were well established, relied on short chains built on trust that promoted values such as health, reduced use of chemicals, and fairness. Women who purchased agroecological foods regularly bought a diverse range of foods. One-third reported having a diet-related disease such as diabetes. Women reported consuming agroecological products either as prevention or after being diagnosed with a diet-related disease. Main motivations for consumers to purchase agroecological foods were health, taste, and avoidance of agrochemicals. Consumers noted several barriers to eating more agroecological foods, including market availability, distance, and seasonal availability of food products. Seven pathways to connect agroecology to nutrition were found: 1) agrobiodiversity, 2) livelihoods/social empowerment, 3) knowledge cocreation, 4) participation/connectivity, 5) culture and diets, 6) reduced exposure to pesticides, and 7) rights-based approaches. Conclusions: Six recommendations were identified to promote these pathways, including support for agroecological producers in urban low-income areas, support for short agroecological markets, and strengthening urban food governance. Although not generalizable, the conceptual framework addresses research gaps on the agroecology–nutrition nexus by providing food for thought for the design of interventions that aim to support agroecology and nutrition of urban low-income consumers.
SN - 2475-2991
ER -