The Global Water Initiative (GWI) has been working with smallholders living near Sélingué dam since 2009 to find out how the dam affects the livelihoods of local farmers and what improvements could be made. The Sélingué dam serves a number of functions, including providing hydropower and irrigation for agriculture – primarily rice. To reduce poverty and ensure higher levels of productivity, governments need to understand who these farmers are and how best to support them.