Site visit: Djilakh Modern Farm

87km from Dakar is Djilakh Modern Farm, a 100 hectare operation that combines irrigated and rain-fed farming. Funded by the Spanish cooperation in conjunction with the Government of Senegal, the farm's philosophy is to equip a team of local villagers with the land and equipment to earn a good income growing onions, tomatoes, watermelon and other fruits and vegetables. Depending on the harvest and contracts with consumers and markets, average income here is 56,000 CFA ($120) per month.

For Fatou Sarr, who has been working at the farm for the past three years, that's three times what she earnt working as a housekeeper before she joined the cooperative. "I've learnt self-motivation techniques here, as well as agricultural ones," she said. "Because we only receive our income three to four times a year, I've had to learn how to pace myself. It's been a good learning experience."