Adoption drivers of the sustainable land management measures by women farmers in the South-Center of Benin Republic

Abstract

In Benin, 62% of agricultural land is moderately or severely degraded and this makes soil restoration and protection a major challenge to  achieve sustainable development and ensure food security. To help overcome these challenges, several NGO and projects have brought  innovations to farmers through Agricultural Advice with the aim of improving agricultural productivity. Hence, this study aimed to  highlight the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) measures by agricultural women  in the in the South-Center of Benin Republic. Data were collected through socio-anthropological surveys among 89 women farmers. The  data collected were analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that women farmers prefer SLM measures that are easy to apply and  whose adoption does not lead to an increase in production costs, nor require having a large area of land. Such measures include  valorization of harvest residues, crops association, as well as the cultivation of edible legumes such as pigeon. In contrast, they avoid SLM  measures which require more investment in labor and/or other production factors or which require large area of land such as the  use of animal dungs, mucuna, and crops rotation. Furthermore, socio-demographic factors such as low level of education, time dedicated  to housework and sociological barriers are also decisive in the adoption of SLM measures by women farmers. Taking these  factors into account by Agricultural Advice support NGO and projects would encourage the adoption of these SLM measures by the  women farmers.