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In subSaharan Africa the population is exposed to various forms of food insecurity. To cope with seasonal food insecurity farmers can mobilize different strategies. Fonio, Digitaria exilis, is an endemic traditional cereal of West Africa. Its persistence in production systems can be linked to its role in facing seasonal food insecurity. The aim of this paper is to explore this assumption. The study is based on a comparison in semi-arid and subhumid areas of patterns of fonio consumption, production and sales from surveys carried out among 250 fonio farmers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The study shows that in semi-arid areas, fonio consumption occurs during the lean periods (mainly in September - October and secondarily in May - June). To enable the fonio to fulfill its role of lean crop, varietal choice (short-cycle, long and intermediate varieties), crop rotation and harvest patterns have been adapted. Analysis of periods of sales confirms this role of fonio, with a more active market during lean periods. In subhumid zones, fonio is more a crop of food diversification which can be stored for many years. This study highlights the interest of lean crops as a strategy to cope with food insecurity in semi-arid areas. Fonio can be grown without chemical inputs and is therefore an interesting way for research and development to reduce the vulnerability of poor people.