Physico- Chemical characteristics of compost (Cotonou, Benin, West Africa)

This work was led the town of Cotonou in Benin and particularly on the vegetable garden site of Hou\ue9yiho. It involved the valorization of the waste of this site by proceeding the aerobic composting of the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste collected in the markets. This consists among other rotten fruits of various plant debris and garbage obtained by initial sorting. After three months of biological decomposition, 48,531.78 kg of biodegradable waste was composted with a yield of 40,443.33 kg of fresh compost or approximately 83.33% compost. The moisture content of the biodegradable fraction is 65%. The physico-chemical characteristics of compost produced are as follow: 12.7594 \ub1 0.1006 mg / kg of heavy metals, the C / N ratio is 13% and the rate of total phosphorus is 0.34% and 61.18 meq/100 g of Dry Weight exchangeable bases. The humus of our compost has a high capacity of cationic exchange (CCE) and fixed mineral nutrient ions such as K+ and Ca2+ and phosphate in order to make them available for plant growth and development and proving the poverty of the soil of this site and their increased need of organic amendment

Entreprenariat En Production Maraichère Dans La Commune De Porto-Novo Au Sud Benin

RésuméEn Afrique en général et au Bénin en particulier, la diversification agricole est d’une préoccupation importante de sorte qu’elle suscite une grande attention. La production maraîchère dans la Commune de Porto-Novo constitue un défi à relever pour assurer les produits de jardin aux populations.La présente recherche vise à étudier l’entreprenariat en production maraichère dans la Commune de Porto-Novo. La démarche méthodologique adoptée est axée sur la recherche documentaire et les enquêtes de terrain réalisées auprès de 236 maraichers. Les données climatologiques utilisées (1982 à 2012), l’évolution démographique (1979 à 2013), les températures (maximales et minimales) et l’évapotranspiration potentielle (ETP) sur la période de 1982 à 2012 concernant la zone d’étude, ont permis de maîtriser les informations socio-économiques relatives à la production et à la commercialisation des produits maraichers dans la Commune de Porto-Novo. L’analyse des résultats a été fait suivant le modèle SWOT (Forces - Faiblesses-Opportunités - Menaces).Les résultats auprès des ménages agricoles révèlent que la Commune de Porto-Novo bénéficie des facteurs naturels et humains à l’entreprenariat en production maraichère. Selon 95 % des maraichers, le maraichage est une activité qui est plus menée le long des zones humides de Porto-Novo. Les enquêtes ont permis de constater que 80 % des maraîchers ont développé plusieurs techniques culturales que sont l’approche participative et les techniques d’arrosage, de fertilisation du sol, les techniques de lutte contre les ravageurs et les systèmes de drainage. L’ensemble de ces techniques et méthodes a permis de mettre en valeur 20 % de ces terres afin de garantir la sécurité alimentaire aux populations. Plusieurs acteurs interviennent dans le processus de production à savoir les producteurs, les collecteurs, les courtiers, les grossistes, les détaillants, les consommateurs. Les variétés de produits maraichers parcourent plusieurs circuits. Selon 90 % des maraichers interrogés, les cultures maraichères sont rentables dans la Commune de Porto-Novo surtout la grande morelle et la tomate où des bénéfices peuvent être réalisés à hauteur de 300 000 voire 600 000 FCFA selon les saisons de cultures. Cette activité est confrontée à d’énormes contraintes telles que : la baisse des revenus, le problème de main-d’œuvre, le manque de moyens et d’encadrement et les difficultés de transport. Mais des stratégies sont adoptées par les maraichers et les mesures de renforcements sont proposées pour réduire l’effet de ces contraintes.Mots clés : Commune de Porto-Novo, Entreprenariat, Production maraichère, Commercialisation AbstractGenerally, in Africa and particularly in Benin, agricultural diversification is of great concern so that it attracts a lot of attention. The market production in the Porto-Novo free town constitutes a challenge to raise to settle oneself firmly the vegetables. The present search aims to study the entrepreneurship in market production in the Porto-Novo of free town.The methodological adopted gait is centered on the documentary information retrieval and the inquiries of achieved ground by 236 markets gardener. The climatological data used (1982 to 2012-, the demographic evolution (1979 to 2013), the temperatures (maximum and minimum) and the potential evapotranspiration (ETP) over the period from 1982 to 2012 concerning the study area, have allowed to control socio-economic information related to the production and marketing of market gardening products in the municipality of Porto-Novo. The data processing and the analysis of the results have been fully developed follow the SWOT model Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats.The results by the agricultural housekeeping’s reveal that the common Porto-Novo benefits of the natural and human carriers at the entrepreneurship in market production. According to 95 % of the marchers that the maraichage is an activity that is more led along the Porto-Novo damp zones. The inquiries permitted establishing that 80 % of the market gardeners spread out several farming technologies that are the participative approaches and the technologies of watering, a fertilization of the soil, the technologies of wrestling against the ravagers, the systems of drainage etc. the outfit of these technologies and methods permitted putting in 20 % value of these earths in order to guarantee then utritious security. Several actors intervene in the processes of production to know how the producers, the collectors, the brokers, the wholesalers, the retailers, the consumers. The varieties of |market products travel through several circumferences. According to 90 % of the interrogated marchers, the market production cultivations are profitable in the free town of Porto-Novo especially the tall nightshade and the tomato where of the profits can be achieved to altitude of 300 000 in truth 600 000 FCFA. According to the seasons of cultivations. This activity is confronted to enormous constraints such as: the fall of the incomes, the problem of manpower, lack of middle and framing, difficulties of transport. But the strategies are adopted the market gardener and the measures of strengthening’s are proposed to reduce the effect of these constraints.Key words: Free town of Porto-Novo, entrepreneurship, market production, marketin

Modes De Gestions Des Déchets Biomédicaux Dans La Commune De Agbagnizoun Au Benin (Afrique De L’ouest)

RésuméLa gestion des déchets biomédicaux constituent une préoccupation majeure pour les autorités que pour les habitants. Le manque de moyens techniques, financiers, humains, organisationnels et surtout le défaut d’un plan de gestion intégré sont les principaux facteurs qui expliquent cette situation.L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les modes de gestions des déchets biomédicaux dans la commune d’Agbangnizoun.La méthodologie adoptée a consisté en la collecte des données par des enquêtes de terrain. Ces données collectées ont été traitées et analysées.Les résultats issus de cette recherche montrent que les catégories de déchets biomédicaux produits dans la commune d’Agbangnizoun sont : les déchets anatomiques, les déchets non anatomiques infectieux, les déchets non biodégradables. Les déchets généraux et les déchets pharmaceutiques sont également produits. De plus, la grande partie des déchets biomédicaux (DBM) est constituée de déchets généraux (38 %), suivi des déchets non atomiques infectieux (24 %), les déchets non biodégradables (16 %), les déchets anatomiques humains (14 %), les matériels pointus ou tranchants (5 %), les déchets pharmaceutiques (3 %). Il faut aussi noter que Plus de 50 % des communes du Bénin assure la gestion de leurs déchets en partenariat avec les ONGs, les associations privées et la voirie. En retour, la commune d’Agbangnizoun ne dispose ni associations, ni structures privées, ni ONGs qui se consacrent à la gestion des déchets biomédicaux.Mots clés : Agbangnizoun au Bénin, Modes de gestions, déchets biomédicaux,  ONGAbstractThe management of biomedical waste is a major concern for the authorities as well as for the inhabitants. The lack of technical, financial, human and organizational resources and especially the lack of an integrated management plan are the main factors that explain this situation. The objective of this article is to analyze the management methods of biomedical waste in the municipality of Agbangnizoun. The methodology adopted consisted of collecting data through field surveys. These collected data were processed and analyzed. The results of this research show that the categories of biomedical waste produced in the commune of Agbangnizoun are: anatomical waste, infectious non-anatomical waste, non-biodegradable waste. General waste and pharmaceutical waste are also produced. In addition, the majority of biomedical waste (DBM) consists of general waste (38%), followed by infectious non-atomic waste (24%), non-biodegradable waste (16%), human anatomical waste (14%) , pointed or sharp equipment (5%), pharmaceutical waste (3%). It should also be noted that more than 50% of municipalities in Benin manage their waste in partnership with NGOs, private associations and the road network. In return, the municipality of Agbangnizoun has no associations, private structures or NGOs dedicated to the management of biomedical waste.Key words : Agbangnizoun in Benin, Management methods, biomedical waste, NGOs

Rice pests in the Republic of Benin: farmers’ perceptions, knowledge and management practices

International audienceBACKGROUND: Rice (Oryza spp) is one of the most consumed cereals in the Republic of Benin. However, rice production is threatened by various pests, which lead to important yield losses. For the development of integrated management strategies responding to the farmers’ realities, it is important to document their perceptions, knowledge, and management of rice pests. Surveys involving 418 rice farmers to 21 ethnic groups through 39 villages were performed using rural appraisal tools. RESULTS: Farmers perceived birds, specifically weavers as the most important rice pests. The surveyed farmers also identified the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus L. and rice brown leaf spots (Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn) as the main pests in the northern region, while it is the pink stem borer, Sesamia calamistis Hampson and rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr) in the southern region, and Z. variegatus and rice yellow mottle virus (genus Sobemovirus) in central Benin. The most important rice storage constraint was the rodent attacks and the surveyed farmers proposed thirteen key solutions to minimize constraints related to rice storage. Among various pest control methods recorded, farmers used mainly synthetic chemical pesticides. However, the Beninese National Pesticide Management Committee (CNGP) does not recommend for the rice protection (prohibited pesticides or intended for the protection of other crops) most of pesticides used by farmers. Farming experience, family size, region, and number of observed pests have significantly influenced farmers’ decision to use pesticides. CONCLUSION: The rice pests perceived by farmers as important vary significantly across regions. These results suggest that IPM programs that target rice pests accounting for these regional differences will be more effective. The identified variables that influence the use of pesticides must be taken in account in the development of strategies to encourage farmers to use eco-friendly pest management

On-farm management of rice diversity, varietal preference criteria, and farmers' perceptions of the African (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) versus Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Republic of Benin (West Africa): implications for breeding and conservation

International audienceRice (Oryza spp.) is an important food and cash crop in the Republic of Benin. However, despite its production increase during the recent years, the yield of cultivated varieties remains low, and the introduction of improved varieties threatens the rice diversity existing in the traditional agriculture. Therefore, documenting the on-farm management of rice diversity, farmers' varietal preferences, and their perceptions of the performance of cultivated varieties and species are important prerequisites for the development of on-site breeding and conservation programs. To fill these gaps in Benin, 418 rice farmers, belonging to 21 ethnic groups, were surveyed in 39 villages using participatory rural appraisal tools. Subject to synonymy, 30 improved varieties and 2 68 local varieties were registered and their folk nomenclature and taxonomy were documented. The north of Benin had the highest diversity of rice with the greatest number of traditional varieties, making this region the best place for an in situ conservation program. The number of rice varieties maintained per village varied from 1 to 15 (six on average). The foursquare analysis revealed that the improved variety IR 841 was by far the most popular variety. Most of NERICA varieties were abandoned in the south, while the north still host a wide range of local varieties. Twenty-one reasons explained varietal abandonment by farmers, varying according to geographic areas and ethnic groups. The seed system was both formal and informal in the study area. The participatory evaluation revealed the necessity to create and introduce tolerant/resistant rice varieties to drought and flooding stresses in Beninese agriculture that meet farmers' preferences. Our results showed that the north Benin would be the most suitable place for in situ conservation of local rice diversity