Since Senegal's independence in 1960, groundnuts (peanuts) have been the dominant agricultural export crop. Currently, groundnut output levels are on the decline and no clear reason for the downward trend has been found. Privatization efforts are underway as the government explores ways to breathe some life into the ailing sector, particularly as it relates to groundnut production. The 50 percent currency devaluation of 1994 constituted a major exogenous shock to the sector. Much research has been done about the macro-level impact of the changes that are taking place. However, little work has been done recently (i.e. since the devaluation) at the micro-level. This work addressed this lack by studying the micro-level dynamics of groundnut production. Elasticities were generated and used in the analysis of policy impacts on production. The own-price elasticity of supply groundnut indicated that supply response should be positive following an increase in producer price. The increase in producer prices following the devaluation did not occasion the expected supply response. Possible reasons for this failure were explored. It is hoped that the information revealed will complement the store of information on production in the Groundnut Basin that is already available. Thus, the present work will prove useful to public and private researchers and policy makers seeking to increase their understanding of the sector. / Master of Science

The passage of the 2002 Farm Bill and the removal of the peanut quota system revealed underlying fundamental problems in the Virginia peanut industry. Lower yields and high costs plague producers at the farm level, acreage levels continue to decline and it is doubtful that peanut production in Virginia will continue at levels seen in the past. The structured market due to the quota system has provided little incentive in the past for technological investment. Investment in technology such as high oleic peanuts and capturing value at the consumer level are seen as ways to improve the situation in Virginia. In particular increased coordination at all levels of the supply chain would be needed to ensure that the consumer is brought a product with characteristics they desire. The literature provides ample information regarding the formation of alliances and coordination in general. According to Cozzarin and Barry (1998), vertical integration, similar to vertical alliances are set up for the following reasons: mitigating transactions costs, taking advantage of output or input price differentials of a competitor, and reducing uncertainties in costs and/or prices. Cozzarin and Barry (1998) also note that there is an increasing move toward vertical coordination in many agriculture sectors, the reasons cited for the current trend include: a) the growing influence of consumers in controlling the agri-food agenda; b) the increasing marketing power of large food companies; and (c) technological changes that necessitate coordination. Of these three reasons, the peanut industry falls under the first two. Vertical coordination is seen to be a solution when two or more entities are able to accomplish more efficiently their objectives than they are able to on their own. For the peanut industry, the agency theory and in particular principal-agent theory is the most applicable to the peanut industry. A linear model is used to examine the effects of increased coordination along the supply chain. The linear model also provides a snapshot of how decisions made at the farm level reverberate through the entire supply chain. The linear model includes the comparison of increased profits due to premiums at the consumer level. Results of the linear model indicate that the Virginia peanut industry will have difficulty maintaining current production levels without investment in the sector, without changing the way the supply chain operates. Principal-agent theory and specifically the work done on contracts in the pork and poultry industries provide a framework within which the peanut industry could avoid asymmetric information and moral hazard. This study attempts to identify underlying problems along with possible solutions or the Virginia peanut industry. / Master of Science

La thèse analyse la trajectoire de développement du Sénégal, parti d’une situation favorable avec de nombreux atouts pour se développer en 1960, à la quasi-faillite du pays en 1974. Cette analyse est menée sous l’angle des relations économiques et financières entre le Sénégal et la France, de 1960 à 1974. La démarche consiste à partir du concept de développement qui définit la coopération entre les deux pays, pour mesurer, décrire et évaluer son impact sur les politiques successives de développement, la structure de l’économie et le fonctionnement des institutions du Sénégal. Sans prétendre à l’exhaustivité, l’objectif principal consiste à tenter d’expliquer cette trajectoire de développement du pays et d’apprécier la part de responsabilité des acteurs publics et privés des deux pays. / This thesis provides an analysis of Senegal’s development trajectory from 1960 to 1974. At independence the country was in a favourable position with many assets to strengthen its development: industries, infrastructures and many famous intellectuals. However, in 1974, Senegal was in decline and facing bankruptcy. This analysis is conducted using a framework of economic and financial relations between Senegal and France from 1960 to 1974. The approach is based on the concept of development, which defines the cooperation between both countries. It aims to measure, describe, and assess its impact on the successive development policies, on Senegalese economic structures and the functioning of institutions. Without pretending to be exhaustive, the main aim is to try to explain this country’s development trajectory and appreciate the responsibility of public and private actors in both countries.