Analyse de la Gestion des Risques Agricoles des Exploitations de Maïs dans les Communes de N’dali et de Kalalé au Nord Bénin : Focus Sur la Productivité des Facteurs de Production

La production agricole est fluctuante d’une année à une autre à cause des conditions climatiques, de la qualité des intrants agricoles, et du non-respect des techniques culturales. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer les productivités moyenne et marginale des facteurs de production utilisés dans les types d’exploitation de maïs. Pour y arriver,  les données quantitatives et qualitatives ont été collectées chez 150 chefs d’exploitation de maïs sélectionnés de façon aléatoire et nalyse avec le test ANOVA. Les résultats des différentes analyses ont montré qu’il existait une différence  de moyenne entre certains  facteurs de production  au sein des exploitations de maïs.  En effet, il existe une différence significative  au seuil de 1 % entre les facteurs de production superficie, semence, quantité d’herbicide de la petite exploitation comparativement à la moyenne exploitation d’une part et la grande exploitation d’autre part. Par contre, aucune différence significative n’est observée entre la moyenne exploitation et la grande exploitation pour ces trois facteurs de production  En ce qui concerne la quantité de main d’œuvre familiale, la différence de moyenne est  particulièrement observée entre la moyenne exploitation et la grande exploitation.   Crop production fluctuates from year to year due to climatic conditions, the quality of agricultural inputs, and non-compliance with agricultural techniques. The objective of this study is to determine the average and marginal productivities of production factors used in different types of maize farming. To achieve this, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 150 randomly selected maize farmers and analyzed using ANOVA test. The results of the analysis showed that there was a difference in the average productivity of certain production factors among maize farms. Specifically, there was a significant difference at the 1% level in terms of area, seed, and herbicide quantity between small-scale farms compared to average farms on one hand, and large-scale farms on the other hand. However, no significant difference was observed between average farms and large-scale farms for these three production factors. As for the amount of family labor, the difference in average was particularly observed between average farms and large-scale farms

Occurrence areas of the common hippopotamus outside the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, northern Benin: implication for sustainable conservation

This study was conducted to assess the distribution and occurrence areas of the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) outside the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR). Data were collected from 2018 to 2019 through the prospection of 139 grids of 2 km x 2 km. Tracks of hippo occurrence outside the protected area were surveyed and presence data in each of four habitats around the Pendjari River were analysed. Hippos are randomly distributed in the vicinity of the Pendjari River outside the protected area. Their distribution is significantly and negatively correlated with the distance from the Pendjari River (β= -0.0003; p=0.05) and positively correlated with cereal crops numbers (β= 1.004; p=0.008) around the Pendjari River. From the 227 hippo tracks recorded, 71.37 % were in cropland, 14% in gallery forest, 7.93% in grassland, and 6.6% at the riverbank. Because hippos occur in croplands, conservation programs and habitat management should focus on educating the local community and promoting positive conservation attitudes towards H. amphibius outside the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve

Analyse de la Gestion des Risques Agricoles des Exploitations de Maïs dans les Communes de N’dali et de Kalalé au Nord Bénin : Focus Sur la Productivité des Facteurs de Production

La production agricole est fluctuante d’une année à une autre à cause des conditions climatiques, de la qualité des intrants agricoles, et du non-respect des techniques culturales. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer les productivités moyenne et marginale des facteurs de production utilisés dans les types d’exploitation de maïs. Pour y arriver,  les données quantitatives et qualitatives ont été collectées chez 150 chefs d’exploitation de maïs sélectionnés de façon aléatoire et nalyse avec le test ANOVA. Les résultats des différentes analyses ont montré qu’il existait une différence  de moyenne entre certains  facteurs de production  au sein des exploitations de maïs.  En effet, il existe une différence significative  au seuil de 1 % entre les facteurs de production superficie, semence, quantité d’herbicide de la petite exploitation comparativement à la moyenne exploitation d’une part et la grande exploitation d’autre part. Par contre, aucune différence significative n’est observée entre la moyenne exploitation et la grande exploitation pour ces trois facteurs de production  En ce qui concerne la quantité de main d’œuvre familiale, la différence de moyenne est  particulièrement observée entre la moyenne exploitation et la grande exploitation.   Crop production fluctuates from year to year due to climatic conditions, the quality of agricultural inputs, and non-compliance with agricultural techniques. The objective of this study is to determine the average and marginal productivities of production factors used in different types of maize farming. To achieve this, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 150 randomly selected maize farmers and analyzed using ANOVA test. The results of the analysis showed that there was a difference in the average productivity of certain production factors among maize farms. Specifically, there was a significant difference at the 1% level in terms of area, seed, and herbicide quantity between small-scale farms compared to average farms on one hand, and large-scale farms on the other hand. However, no significant difference was observed between average farms and large-scale farms for these three production factors. As for the amount of family labor, the difference in average was particularly observed between average farms and large-scale farms

Folk perceptions and patterns of use of orchid species in Benin, West Africa

In Benin haben die Menschen ein reiches ethnobotanisches Wissen über, das die kulturelle und ökologische Vielfalt ihrer Umwelt widerspiegelt. Mehrere Studien befassten sich mit der Frage, wie wertvoll Pflanzenarten für lo abunkale Gemeinschaften sind. Trotz der Bedeutung der Orchideen für den Lebensunterhalt der lokalen Bevölkerung gab es aber nur wenig Forschungsinteresse an den Orchideenarten. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Unterschiede im Gebrauch und im Wissen der lokalen Leute von Orchideen in der sudanischen Zone von Benin. Die Studie wurde unter den vier wichtigsten sozioökonomischen und ethnischen Gruppen aus sechs Dörfern rund um das Biosphärenreservat Pendjari in Benin durchgeführt. Einhundertsechzig Personen nahmen an dieser Studie teil. Die Daten wurden mit Hilfe von semi-strukturierten Einzelinterviews erhoben und mittels quantitativer ethnobotanischer Methoden analysiert. 29 verschiedene Anwendungsarten wurden erfasst und können in vier Hauptnutzungskategorien unterteilt werden: Arzneimittel, Veterinärmedizin, Spirituelles und Lebensmittel. Es gab Unterschiede in der Verwendung von Orchideen unter den ethnischen Gruppen, Geschlecht und Alter. Das Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen wurde maßgeblich von der ethnischen Gruppe und dem Alter der Befragten beeinflusst. Anders als junge gebildete Generationen hatten die meisten Erwachsenen und Ältesten, insbesondere Frauen, ein umfassenderes Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen. Calyptrochilum christianum, die am häufigsten verwendete Orchidee, wurde in mehr als 50% der Orchideenarten erwähnt. Der Stamm der Gourmantché und Waama hatte mehr Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen, während der Berba Stamm weniger Wissen besaß. Drei Orchideenarten (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii und Nervilia bicarinata) wurden als Nahrung gemeldet. Orchideen hatten einen niedrigen Nutzwert im Bereich von 0,01 (Eulophia spp) bis 0,2 (C. christianum). Der kontrollierte Zugang zum Biosphärenreservat und die Landflucht können den Mangel an Weitergabe des Wissens der Älteren über die Orchideennutzung und deren Wert des Wissens an die jüngere Generation erklären.In Benin, people have a rich ethnobotanical knowledge of plant species, reflecting the cultural and ecological diversity of their environment. Several studies were focused on the question of how valuable are plant species for local communities. However, there has been very little research interest in the orchid species in spite of the importance of orchids in the livelihood of the local people. This study examined the use and differences in knowledge of local people of orchids in the Sudanian zone of Benin. An ethnobotanical study was conducted amongst the four main socio-economic and ethnic groups from six villages around the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin. One hundred and sixty people participated in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured individual interviews and analysed using quantitative ethnobotanical methods. 29 different types of use were recorded and can be grouped into four main use categories: medicinal, veterinary, spiritual and food. There were differences in orchid utilization among the ethnic groups, gender and age. The knowledge of orchid uses was significantly affected by the ethnic group and the age of the respondent. Unlike young educated generations, most adults and elders, especially women, had a more comprehensive knowledge of orchid uses. Calyptrochilum christianum, the most used orchid, was mentioned in more than 50% of the types of orchid use. The Gourmantché and Waama tribe had more knowledge on orchid use whereas the Berba tribe had less knowledge. Three orchid species (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii and Nervilia bicarinata) were reported as food. Orchids had low use value ranging from 0.01 (Eulophia spp) to 0.2 (C. christianum). The controlled access to the biosphere reserve and rural exodus can explain the lack of indigenous knowledge transfer of orchid use and value from elders to the young generation.Au Bénin, les connaissances ethnobotaniques sont riches et variées, reflétant la diversité culturelle et écologique en place. De nombreuses études ont porté sur la question de l’utilité des plantes pour les communautés locales. Cependant, peu de travaux ce sont intéressés aux orchidées, malgré leur importance pour le bien-être des populations locales. Cette étude a examiné l'importance et la variation des connaissances locales sur l’usage des orchidées dans la zone soudanienne au Bénin. Une étude ethnobotanique a été conduite dans les quatre principaux groupes socioéconomiques et ethniques représentés par six villages autour de la Réserve de Biosphère de la Pendjari. Cent soixante personnes ont été enquêtées. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'entrevues individuelles semi-structurées et analysées suivant les méthodes ethnobotaniques quantitatives. Au total, 29 différents types d'usages ont été enregistrées et peuvent être regroupées en quatre catégories: médecine, vétérinaire, spirituel et alimentaire. Il y a une variation des usages faits des orchidées aussi bien suivant les groupes ethniques, le genre que de l'âge. Le niveau de connaissance des usages faits des orchidées est significativement influencé par le groupe ethnique et l'âge du répondant. Contrairement aux jeunes générations scolarisées, la plupart des adultes et personnes âgées, en particulier les femmes, ont une plus grande connaissance des usages possible des orchidées. Calyptrochilum christianum, l'orchidée la plus utilisée, a été mentionnée dans plus de 50% des types d’usages. Les Gourmantché et les Waama ont plus de connaissances sur l'utilisation des orchidées tandis que les Berba en ont moins. Trois espèces d’orchidées (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii et Nervilia bicarinata) ont été rapportées comme utilisées dans l’alimentation. Les orchidées en générale ont une faible valeur d'usage, valeurs allant de 0,01 (Eulophia spp) à 0,2 (C. christianum). L'accès contrôlé à la réserve de biosphère et l’exode rural pourraient expliquer la rupture apparente du transfert des savoirs sur les usages et valeur des orchidées des anciens aux jeunes générations

Climate-Smart Agriculture In Benin: Need Assessment Report

Agriculture in Africa must undergo a major transformation in the coming decades in order to meet the interrelated challenges of achieving food security, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change without depleting the natural resource base. Although agriculture is an important part of Africa's economy, employing more than 60% of the population and contributing between 25% and 34% of GDP, productivity is low and food insecurity is high. Currently, about 48% of Africa's population, or approximately 450 million people, live in extreme poverty on less than US$1.25 per day; 63% of the continent's poor live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods (World Bank, 2015). At the same time, the continent is experiencing rapid population growth and urbanization. Half of the projected 2.4 billion increase in the world's population between 2013 and 2050 will occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and 56 percent of Africa's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2025 (UNODAES, 2013 and 2014). Meeting future food demand will require a large increase in supply. With these challenges, agricultural practices on the African continent cannot continue as usual. African agriculture must therefore transform itself to improve food and nutrition security for an expanding population and to provide a basis for economic growth and poverty. reduction

Developing policy-relevant biodiversity indicators : lessons learnt from case studies in Africa

There is an increasing need for monitoring schemes that help understand the evolution of the global biodiversity crisis and propose solutions for the future. Indicators, including temporal baselines, are crucial to measure the change in biodiversity over time, to evaluate progress towards its conservation and sustainable use and to set conservation priorities. They help design and monitor national and regional policies on biodiversity; they also feed into national reporting on international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals. We analyse the methodological approach of five small African projects resulting from a call to promote indicator development, improve monitoring capacity and strengthen the science-policy interface in the field of biodiversity. We compared their approach to existing guidance provided by the international community, specifically the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership. To this end, we assess whether internationally recommended steps are effectively applied to national/local biodiversity monitoring in selected developing countries. We also present lessons learnt from workshop interactions between partners involved in these projects. Through our pilot projects we identified data availability and data accessibility, together with the involvement of stakeholders, as critical steps in indicator development. Moreover, there is a need for a better awareness and a wider application of the indicator concept itself. Hence, training of key actors both in the policy and science spheres is needed to operationalize indicators and ensure their continuity and sustainability. We hope that these case studies and lessons learnt can stimulate and support countries in the Global South to formulate policy-relevant biodiversity indicators.Peer reviewe

Population structure and evolutionary history of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) from the Guinean Forests of West Africa

Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a large-body old world rodent found in sub-Saharan Africa. The body size and the unique taste of the meat of this major crop pest have made it a target of intense hunting and a potential consideration as a micro-livestock. However, there is insufficient knowledge on the genetic diversity of its populations across African Guinean forests. Herein, we investigated the genetic diversity, population structures and evolutionary history of seven Nigerian wild grasscutter populations together with individuals from Cameroon, Republic of Benin, and Ghana, using five mitochondrial fragments, including D-loop and cytochrome b (CYTB). D-loop haplotype diversity ranged from 0.571 (± 0.149) in Republic of Benin to 0.921 (± 0.013) in Ghana. Within Nigeria, the haplotype diversity ranged from 0.659 (± 0.059) in Cross River to 0.837 (± 0.075) in Ondo subpopulation. The fixation index (FST), haplotype frequency distribution and analysis of molecular variance revealed varying levels of population structures across populations. No significant signature of population contraction was detected in the grasscutter populations. Evolutionary analyses of CYTB suggests that South African population might have diverged from other populations about 6.1 (2.6–10.18, 95% CI) MYA. Taken together, this study reveals the population status and evolutionary history of grasscutter populations in the region

Isotopic evidence for dietary niche overlap between barking deer and four-horned antelope in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Morphologically similar sympatric species may have a high degree of niche overlap. Barking deer Muntiacus vaginalis and four-horned antelope Tetracerus quadricornis are solitary ungulates of the Indian sub-continent. Limited information is available regarding their trophic ecology, particularly of the endemic four-horned antelope. We present stable carbon (δ(13)C), nitrogen (δ(15)N), and sulphur (δ(34)S) isotopic values, and nitrogen content (%N) of faeces from barking deer and four-horned antelope living in lowland Nepal to assess trophic niche differentiation of these herbivores along the browser-grazer continuum. We also describe trophic differences between those two species in ecological niches and seasonal effects on their diets. RESULTS: We found that the barking deer and four-horned antelope consumed C(3) plant sources exclusively. The niche partitioning in their diet was reflected by δ(34)S values. Some seasonal effects observed were: δ(13)C and δ(15)N were significantly lower in the dry season diet of four-horned antelope than that of barking deer, while δ(34)S values were significantly higher in the winter diet; monsoon diet was similar for both species. Faecal N levels for barking deer and four-horned antelope were similar throughout all the seasons, indicating that both species adapted their feeding behaviour so as to maximize protein intake, in accordance with season and environment. CONCLUSIONS: Barking deer and four-horned antelope both are browsers; their dietary sources overlapped during monsoon but differed during the dry season. Conservation actions focused on resource management during the dry season to reduce food scarcity and competition over limited resources is likely to be the most effective. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40709-015-0029-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users