Climate change and cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) productivity in Benin (West Africa) : perceptions and endogenous measures of adaptation

Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing the perceptions of cashew producers of the climate change, climate change effect on cashew productivity and to identify the adaptation strategies developed to mitigate them, two hundred and seventeen (217) cashew producers older than 50 with more than 10 years experience in cashew plantation were selected randomly from 20 villages. In each of the selected villages, the data were collected using questionnaires, individual and group interviews and fields visit. The collected data were sociodemographic characteristics of the households (sex, age, household size, education level, years of experience in the cultivation of cashew, types of the men size of household laborer used, farm size), perceptions of cashew producers in relation to indicators of climate change, and climatic factors that influence the productivity of cashew and especially the various strategies developed to adapt to. These data have been submitted to descriptive statistic, analysis of variance and multivariate analysis. The results this study indicate that the producers of the Central parts of the country were significantly older and more experienced (P<0.05 to P<0.0001) when compared to producers from other areas. The lowest of cashew plantation area were recorded in the North-East despite the availability of cultivable lands (P <0.0001). The producers have reported an increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall and the occurrence of violent winds from time to time. The high rates of dried flowers and yield losses were the new climate change indicators identified in the study. Mulching (71.80%), manure application (7.8%) and regular management of plantations (6%) were the main strategies developed. The number of household laborer, the experience of the producer, determined significantly (P < 0.05 to P <0.0001), the choice of the adaptation measures to climate change. We recommend to assess the efficacy of these strategies for sustainable cashew production.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, Benin, cashew tree, climate change, farmers perceptions, yield.