There is great diversity in the way different groups of people are affected by seasonality and cope with it. Greater understanding of this diversity is required if policy and project interventions are to strengthen the position of poor rural people. The damaging periods of time can sometimes be very short, regularly crippling families in their efforts to accumulate resources and protect their health. In sub‐Saharan Africa seasonality is clearly a major dimension of adverse economic change, of declining food availability and increasing instability in food supply. As a result seasonality has become a more significant point of entry for analysis and action. Policies are needed which strengthen seasonal coping mechanisms, and reflect a decentralised and differentiated approach in timing and targetting on the most vulnerable groups.