Women in both villages engage in rain-fed rice production as their primary productive contribution to the household. This rice, combined with the cereal and pulse production of the men, accounts for the vast majority of food consumed in both of these villages. Neither system relies very heavily on cash inputs and the little cash involved is usually controlled by male family members. Women do have access to the cash they produce, as a result Mandinka women tend to have more discretionary income than Pulaar women. Mandinka Women derive prestige among their peers based on the well being of their family.
Women grow rain fed rice, and are likely to help men with their cereal crop harvest.
Many women have access to cash from marketing activities. Men are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the family eats at socially accepted levels. Men are responsible for providing fuel wood for cooking. Pulaar Women derive prestige among their peers by being superior rice producers. Women grow rain fed rice, by hand with no mechanization.