Déterminants socio-économiques du changement des pratiques dans la plateforme de chaîne de valeur du riz étuvé à Malanville, Bénin

Au Bénin, l'étuvage traditionnel est encore largement pratiqué par les transformateurs de riz, ce qui impacte négativement la qualité du riz. A travers la mise en place d’une plateforme d’innovation dans la commune de Malanville, une nouvelle technologie d’étuvage a été introduite pour améliorer le rendement à l'usinage et la qualité du riz local. Cette étude a analysé les déterminants du changement des pratiques d’étuvage du riz au niveau de la plateforme. Des entretiens semi-structurés et structurés ont été réalisés avec 200 femmes transformatrices (étuveuses). Les résultats ont montré que la plateforme d’innovation a permis un changement des pratiques d’étuvage conduisant à une amélioration de la qualité du riz. De plus, l’analyse du modèle logit binomiale a montré l’existence de certains facteurs extrinsèques (contexte social, innovation) aux étuveuses et qui ont contribué au changement de pratique d’étuvage du riz. Ainsi, cette étude suggère la promotion des plateformes d’innovation dans les zones rizicoles afin d’améliorer la qualité du riz local au Bénin

Strengthening local innovations in rice processing through video in Benin

In Africa, rice processing provides employment for many rural people. A survey on local rice processing methods in the north, central and south of Benin shows that local rice is often parboiled before milling. Parboiling is a transformation process that enhances the quality of rice. This important income generating activity is exclusively done by women from rice producing communities. In Benin, the traditional parboiling method is still prevailing and does not lead to quality rice. To address this, an improved rice parboiling technology was developed. AfricaRice subsequently developed a video where rural women explain how to use this improved technology. Four NGOs in central Benin publicly screened the video in 80 villages. After women watched the video, they started using the improved parboiler equipment individually or collectively. Women who didn’t have the financial support to buy the improved equipment understood its principle and developed creative solutions based on the idea of pre-cooking paddy with steam. Video watching also made women pay attention to reducing the loss of steam and to use local resources innovatively to conserve energy. Women also improved the quality of their parboiled rice by removing dirt, properly washing rice and drying rice on tarpaulins. On the other hand, in the north and south of Benin where there were no public video screenings, the traditional rice parboiling method is still predominant. This study shows the potential of farmer-to-farmer video to improve farmers’ practices and their attitudes to work collectively in agro-processing and marketing.Peer reviewe

Experimental auctions with exogenous and endogenous information treatment: Willingness to pay for improved parboiled rice in Benin

The impact of information as an extrinsic quality cue on consumers’ valuation of intrinsic food quality attributes can be captured by incorporating ‘information treat-ments’ in experimental auctions. We combine ‘exogenous’ information treatments (a video broadcast and a radio transcript) on the benefits of a locally produced improved rice processing technology with an ‘endogenous’ infor-mation treatment which elicits word-of-mouth exchange among consumers. We assess the effects of these informa-tion treatments on consumers’ choice and valuation of parboiled rice with upgraded quality in two urban markets in Benin. We find that exogenous information increases market share of the locally produced improved product by 14% at the expense of the competing, imported prod-uct, an effect which is further amplified by 11% through endogenous information. Endogenous information has a dampening effect on price premiums though; while visual and auditory information added 6–14% value to local rice, word-of-mouth reduced the value by 2

Plateforme d'innovations technologiques et organisationnelles : Leçons apprises de l'étuvage du riz à Malanville (Bénin)

La plateforme d’innovation (PI) est une approche multi-acteurs pour des solutions aux problèmes complexes. Elle est d’actualité en Afrique Subsaharienne confrontée à de nombreux défis agricoles. Cette étude utilise une perspective systémique pour comprendre le processus de génération et de diffusion d’innovation relative à la post-récolte du riz local au Bénin. La collecte des données quantitatives et qualitatives a été faite avec des questionnaire et guides d’entretien auprès de 300 femmes étuveuses de riz, membres de la PI à Malanville, et sélectionnées de façon aléatoire et stratifiée. Les tests t de Student et de Wilcoxon et le modèle de régression binomiale Logit ont été utilisés pour analyser les données. Les résultats montrent que l’introduction de la technologie améliorée d’étuvage de riz dans la PI a servi de catalyseur pour le développement d’un espace d’apprentissage et de changement caractérisé par : (i) la génération d’innovations technologiques ; (ii) l’organisation en groupements pour l’amélioration des pratiques et l’accès au micro-crédit et aux sources formelles d’apprentissage ; et (iii) la diffusion des innovations générées au sein de la PI. Cette étude confirme que les approches multi-acteurs favorisent l’apprentissage individuel et social, l'expérimentation et la modification des innovations, et le renforcement du capital social pour un développement agricole inclusif et durable. The Innovation Platform (IP) is a multi-stakeholder approach to address complex challenges. This is topical in Sub-Saharan Africa that is facing complex agricultural challenges. This study used a systems perspective to understand the process of generation and diffusion of innovation related to the postharvest of local rice in Benin. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides with 300 women rice parboilers, randomly and stratified selected from the IP members in Malanville. Data were analyzed using the Student t-test, Wilcoxon test and the Logit binomial regression model. Results show that the introduction of the improved rice parboiling technology in the IP served as a catalyst for the development of a space for learning and change characterized by: (i) the generation of technological innovations; (ii) the organization into groups for the improvement of practices, access to micro-finance and to formal learning sources; and (iii) the dissemination of innovations generated within the IP. This study confirms that multi-stakeholder approaches promote individual and social learning, experimentation and modification of innovations, and strengthening of social capital for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development

Les petits exploitants agricoles à l’école inclusive : cas de l’apprentissage collectif par la vidéo et la radio sur la post-récolte du riz local au Bénin

En Afrique subsaharienne, les petits exploitants agricoles ruraux ont difficilement accès aux connaissances et informations actualisées afin d’améliorer leur revenu. Pour renforcer l’apprentissage collectif au sein des acteurs des chaînes de valeur du riz local blanc et étuvé, la vidéo et la radio ont été utilisées de façon participative. La présente étude visait à comprendre l’influence de cet apprentissage collectif sur (i) le changement des pratiques des transformations et (ii) la qualité du riz local. Des interviews et suivis hebdomadaires ont été réalisés entre 2009 et 2018 au sud et nord du Bénin auprès de 240 transformateurs choisis aléatoirement. Des échantillons de riz ont été également collectés pour des analyses de qualité au laboratoire. L’analyse des données a été faite avec les tests t de Student, Wilcoxon, ANOVA, et le modèle de régression de Poisson. Les résultats ont montré une amélioration des pratiques de 14% ; 23% et 58% respectivement dans les villages contrôles, radio et vidéo. Dans le processus d’amélioration des pratiques, les transformateurs ont renforcé leur créativité en développant des technologies appropriées à leur environnement ; ce qui a eu un impact positif sur les qualités physiques et de cuisson du riz. Dans un contexte de pauvreté, d’insécurité alimentaire, de ruralité et d’analphabétisme, l’apprentissage collectif par la vidéo et la radio locale se révèle être une opportunité pour le renforcement du système d’innovation agricole.   English title: Smallholder farmers at inclusive school: Lessons learnt from collective  learning through video and radio on local rice processing in Benin In sub-Saharan Africa, rural smallholder farmers have limited access to timely and up-todate knowledge and information to improve their incomes. To strengthen collective learning among rice sector’ stakeholders, videos and radio were participatory used. This study aims to assess the impact of this collective learning on (i) changing rice processors practices and (ii) the quality of local rice. Interviews and weekly follow-ups were conducted between 2009 and 2018 in southern and northern Benin with 240 randomly selected rice processors. Rice samples were also collected for quality analysis in the laboratory. Data analysis was done with Student's t-tests, Wilcoxon, one-way ANOVA, and the Poisson regression model. The results showed an improvement in rice processors practices of 14%; 23% and 58% respectively in control, video and radio villages. During the improvement of their practices, rice processors have increased their creativity by developing appropriate technologies to their environment; and this has positively impact on the physical and cooking qualities of the rice. In a context of poverty, food insecurity, rurality and illiteracy, collective learning through video and radio seems to be an opportunity to strengthen the agricultural innovation system, and a booster for change through adoption and adaptation of innovation

Linking local rice processors’ access to rural radio, gender, and livelihoods in Benin

In a context of low literacy rates and a high level of rurality, the use of rural radio in agricultural extension is a method that can bridge the gap that exists between researchers, extension workers, and farmers. This article examines the level of farmers’ access to rural radio in relation to gender and livelihoods. The study was conducted in Benin with 18 rural radio stations and 240 rice processors, using the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the relationship between access to rural radio and livelihoods. Although the study cannot draw conclusions on causal relationships, rice processors who often listened to agricultural broadcasts had better social, financial, and human capital stocks compared to those who did not. Despite the efforts of 72% of the radio stations to link up with extension services, half of the rice processors rarely or never listened to agricultural broadcasts, because the timing of the broadcasts was inappropriate. Interactive radio sessions with farmers that involve government officials will need to address this if they are to become more effective.Dans un contexte de taux d’alphabétisation faible et de ruralité considérable, l’utilisation de la radio rurale dans la vulgarisation agricole est une méthode qui peut réduire l’écart entre les chercheurs, les vulgarisateurs et les agriculteurs. Cet article examine le degré d’accès parmi les agriculteurs à la radio rurale par rapport au genre et aux moyens de subsistance. Cette étude a été menée au Bénin avec 18 stations de radio rurales et 240 usineurs de riz, en utilisant le cadre des moyens de subsistance pour examiner le rapport entre l’accès à la radio locale et les moyens de subsistance. Si l’étude ne permet pas de tirer des conclusions sur les rapports causaux, les usineurs de riz qui écoutaient souvent les émissions de radio avaient de meilleurs stocks de capital social, financer et humain que les autres. En dépit des efforts de 72 % des stations de radio pour nouer des liens avec des services de vulgarisation, la moitié des usineurs de riz écoutaient rarement, voire jamais, les émissions agricoles, parce que les horaires des émissions ne leur convenaient pas. Les sessions radio interactives avec les agriculteurs qui font intervenir des représentants du gouvernement devront résoudre ce problème pour améliorer leur efficacité

PARTICIPATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF RICE PARBOILING VIDEOS WITH WOMEN IN BENIN

peer reviewedUsing the sustainable livelihoods framework to evaluate the impact of a farmer-to-farmer video on the improved rice parboiling technology, women in Benin rated financial, social, human, natural and physical capital stocks for the baseline year (2006) and the impact year (2009) on a 0–5 scale. Women who had watched the video and those who had not, but who lived in the same villages, perceived a significant improvement in four out of five livelihood capitals while processors in control villages did not perceive any significant change. Apart from testing the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework as a participatory impact assessment tool for video-mediated rural learning, this study shows how farmer-to-farmer training videos helped to improve multiple livelihood assets.Learning local rice processing through video and rural radio and outcomes on practices, rural livelihoods and markets in Beni

Farmers’ Knowledge and Management Practices of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Benin, West Africa

Spodoptera frugiperda has caused significant losses of farmer income in sub-Saharan countries since 2016. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge of S. frugiperda, their perceptions and management practices in Benin. Data were collected through a national survey of 1237 maize farmers. Ninety-one point eight percent of farmers recognized S. frugiperda damage, 78.9% of them were able to identify its larvae, and 93.9% of the maize fields were infested. According to farmers, the perceived yield losses amounted to 797.2 kg/ha of maize, representing 49% of the average maize yield commonly obtained by farmers. Chi-square tests revealed that the severity of the pest attacks was significantly associated with cropping practices and types of grown maize varieties. About 16% of farmers identified francolin (Francolinus bicalcaratus), village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), and common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) as natural enemies and 5% of them identified yellow nutsedge, chan, shea tree, neem, tamarind, and soybean as repellent plants of S. frugiperda. Most farmers (91.4%) used synthetic pesticides and 1.9% of them used botanical pesticides, which they found more effective than synthetic pesticides. Significant relationships exist between farmers’ management practices, their knowledge, organization membership, and contact with research and extension services. More research is required to further understand the effectiveness of botanical pesticides made by farmers against S. frugiperda and to refine them for scaling-up