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Farmers’ selection criteria for sweet potato varieties in Benin: An application of Best-Worst Scaling
- Idrissou Ahoudou, Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou, Nicodeme V. Fassinou Hotegni, Charlotte O. A. Adjé, Françoise Assogba Komlan, Ismail Moumouni-Moussa, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako
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- Journal:
- Experimental Agriculture / Volume 59 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 15 December 2023, e25
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- Article
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Integrating farmers’ preferences into the breeding and dissemination of new genotypes is a effective approach to enhance their successful adoption by farmers. In the case of sweet potato, a staple crop in many parts of West Africa, there is a need for more research on the selection criteria used by farmers when choosing which varieties to grow. This study aims to highlight farmers’ selection criteria for sweet potato varieties in the main production areas in Benin. A total of 480 farmers from the top three sweet potato production areas were surveyed. The relative importance of various traits for sweet potato farmers was evaluated using best-worst scaling methods. Latent class analysis was applied to find groups of farmers with similar preferences. Best-Worst Scaling analysis revealed that high root yield, root size, marketability, and early maturing were the most important variety selection criteria. Latent class analysis revealed three farmers’ groups referred to as ‘Yield potential’, ‘Market value’, and ‘Plant resilience’ classes. ‘Yield potential’ farmers were more likely to be from Atlantique and Alibori departments; they significantly committed more acreage to sweet potato production. The ‘Market value’ farmers highlighted the variety of root size and commercial value as the main selection criteria and consisted of farmers with primary education levels from the Ouémé department. ‘Plant resilience’ refers to a group of Alibori farmers who prioritize environmental issues and primarily grow sweet potatoes for self-consumption. Our findings shed light on farmers’ preferences and suggested that heterogeneity in sweet potato selection criteria was highly influenced by various socio-economic factors and location.
Socio-demographic factors and ethnobotanical knowledge associated with sesame management practices across agroecological zones in Benin
- Christel F. Azon, Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotegni, Charlotte A. O. Adjé, Chaldia O. Agossou, Olga E. D. Sogbohossou, Hermine Nouletope, Odilon-Parfait K. Akotchayé, Pancrace Kékpè, Clavaire Aïsso, Maboudou A. Guirguissou, Komivi Dossa, Clément Agbangla, Florent J-B. Quenum, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako
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- Journal:
- Experimental Agriculture / Volume 59 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 June 2023, e10
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Sesame is an oilseed crop and source of income for small-scale farmers, particularly in developing countries. In Benin, sesame production is poorly developed and the underlying reasons are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the sesame management practices, socio-demographic factors and ethnobotanical knowledge associated with sesame production, as well as the production constraints across four agroecological zones in Benin. In total, 370 farmers were surveyed based on a structured interview. Qualitative and quantitative data including socio-demographic parameters, management practices and knowledge associated with the crop, were recorded. A binary logistic regression was performed to explain the effects of socio-demographic parameters on management practices. The farm typology was generated through a principal component analysis followed by a cluster analysis. Cultivars were classified based on the seed coat colour and size. To assess the ethnobotanical knowledge related to sesame, use value, plant part used value and fidelity level were calculated. Our results showed that older farmers were more likely to practice intercropping than young farmers. In addition, male farmers applied more fertilisers and used more pesticide than female. Five distinct farm typologies were recorded in the four agroecological zones. Five different cultivars were recorded across the four agroecological zones. Sesame is mostly produced for local consumption as sauce and seed appetiser (mentioned by at least 73.23% of respondents). The seeds were the most used part of the crop. The lack of improved seeds, road impassability to the field, rarity of rain, non-availability of cultivable land for sesame production, lack of cash for farm operations were the main constraints to wide sesame production. We discussed the differences among farm typology and their productivity and proposed future research actions for expanding sesame production in Benin.