Total Factor of Productivity (TFP) of the Northeast Benin rice producers: A case study of Malanville Municipality

Rice producers’ efficiency is widely assessed by using the Stochatistic Frontier Analysis (SFA). But because of gaps between the output(s) implied by the regression line for a given level of input(s) and the real output(s) at the same level of input(s), the Frontier Analysis can provide misleading measures and this is a limit. This article aims at analyzing the economic efficiency levels of rice producers using a framework which does not impose any parametric function: the indexes of productivity (Total Factor of Productivity (TFP) for instance). To reach this objective, primary data were collected from hundred and twenty (120) rice producers in Malanville Municipality. From the data analysis, it comes out that the average indexes of productivity (TFP) are 1.32 (± 0.57) in wet season, 1.45 (± 0.78) in dry season, and 1.33 (± 0.55) for both seasons. On one hand,this indicates that rice producers are economically efficient. On the other hand the access to credit, the experience in rice farming and the rice farming system are the main factors determining the producers’efficiency level.Keywords: Rice production, Indexes of productivity, Total Factor of Production, Economic efficiency, Malanville

Effect of termite mounds and chemical fertilizer on the cotton and maize yield: An evidence from the Pendjari Region (north west Benin)

Like in many other developing countries, smallholder farmers in the Pendjari region located in NorthBenin have low crop productivities and further earn low income. This is due in a large part to soil fertility decline and expensive chemical fertilizers. In these settings, the soil fertility potential of termite mounds is a free-of-charge option to explore. A study is conducted in Tanguieta and Materi to analysepossible effect of termite mound and chemical fertilizer on cotton and maize yield. A Generalized Power Production Function is used on farming system and household data collected on a random sample of 152 farmers with questionnaire. The results suggest that cotton and maize yield functions are elastic to the quantity of chemical fertilizers and to the density of termite mounds. Termite mound and chemical fertilizer are shown to have effect on cotton yield. In addition, 79.2% of cotton producers in the study area have the optimal factor combination according to these two inputs while the opposite is true for maize producers. These results also suggest that farmers may know how to valuate termites’ fertility effect without knowing how to combine it with the chemical fertilizer. Key words: Generalized Power Production Function, Termite, Fertilizers, Pendjari, Benin

TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF CEREAL PRODUCTION IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: A CASE FOR MAIZE, RICE AND SORGHUM FARMERS

This study estimated technical efficiency levels of cereal crops producers. The study employed the translog stochastic frontier model to estimate efficiency levels of maize, rice and sorghum producers in the survey area. Findings revealed that maize and sorghum farmers were operating in the efficiency range of 0.50 to 0.98, while for rice farmers efficiency estimates ranged between 0.71 and 0.98. Fur- thermore, it was also observed that a majority of the rice farmers operate in the range 0.91 and 0.98 efficiency levels. Also, about 18% of the farmers operate in the efficiency range of 0.81 and 0.90, while just about 14% operate in the range of 0.96 and 0.98 efficiency levels for rice production. Findings suggest that, all things been equal, most of the cereal crops producers could improve their current levels of production by adjusting their input combination

Rentabilité economique des systèmes de production des parcs à karité dans le contexte de l’adaptation au changement climatique du Nord-Benin

L’objectif de cette étude était d’analyser la rentabilité économique des systèmes de production des parcs à karités du nord-Bénin en relation avec les adaptations aux changements climatiques. Les données primaires relatives aux caractéristiques socio-économiques des producteurs, aux stratégies d’adaptation développées et aux inputs et outputs de production ont été collectées auprès de 466 exploitants des parcs à karité des Communes de Banikoara, Bassila et Bembèrèkè. La méthode utilisée pour l’étude était basée sur le modèle de la rentabilité économique deCOBB-DOUGLAS. Il ressort des analyses que 70,71% des producteurs de la zone d’étude développent des stratégies d’adaptation aux changements climatiques. Il s’agit notamment du reboisement (34,3%), de la diversification des activités agricoles (30,6%), de la pratique culturelle (26%) et de l’adaptation du système cultural qui est très peu pratiquée (9,2%). Ces réajustements pour la plupart techniques opérés par les producteurs ont des répercutions sur les éléments de leur compte d’exploitation. Par ailleurs, le système cultural et la diversification des activités agricoles apparaissent comme les types d’adaptations les plus économiquement rentables au seuil de 1%.   The objective of this study was to analyze the economic production systems profitability for the parklands of sheas in the North of Benin in relationship with adaptations to climate change. Primary data on socio-economic characteristics of producers, adaptation strategies developed, and inputs and outputs of production were collected from 466 parkland of sheas’farmers in Banikoara, Bassila and Bembèrèkè Municipalities. The method used for the study was based on the COBB-DOUGLAS model of economic profitability. The analysis shows that 70.71% of the producers in the study area develop adaptation strategies to climate change. These include reforestation (34.3%), diversification of agricultural activities (30.6%), cultural practice (26%) and adaptation of the cropping system which is practiced very little (9.2%). These adjustments mostly technical, implemented by producers have repercussions on their economic performances. In addition, cropping system and diversification of agricultural activities appear to be the types of adaptations the most economically profitable at the level of 1%.Key Words: Climate Change, shea parklands, economic profitabilit

Facteurs determinant l’utilisation des engrais mineraux et organiques par les producteurs de mais en zones Soudanienne et soudano-sahelienne du nord-Benin

En zones soudaniennes et soudano-sahéliennes du Nord-Bénin, la durabilité de la fertilité des sols est menacée par la pression démographique et  les aléas climatiques, base de la faible productivité des cultures. Une étude sur les facteurs déterminants l’utilisation des engrais minéraux et  organiques a été réalisée en se basant sur une enquête auprès de 262 producteurs de maïs dans trois zones agroécologiques du Nord Bénin. Un  modèle Logit a été estimé pour déterminer les variables influençant la décision d’utiliser l’engrais minéral, l’engrais organique et leur combinaison.  Les résultats révèlent que les variables telles que l’âge, le nombre d’années de scolarisation, la participation des producteurs à un essai de  démonstration sur la fertilité des sols, le nombre de boeufs, la durée de marche village-CARDER d’une part et, la taille du ménage, l’expérience en  agriculture, le mode d’accès à la terre d’autre part, ont respectivement une influence significative négative et positive sur les probabilités  d’utilisation de l’engrais minéral, de l’engrais organique et de leur combinaison aux seuils de 1 %, de 5 % et de 10 %. Enfin, pour accroître le taux  d’adoption de ces pratiques, il faut une sensibilisation accrue des producteurs. De plus, faciliter l’accès aux intrants bio, crédits et marchés, inciter les  producteurs à adopter les nouvelles pratiques de gestion durable des terres, et les variétés améliorées tolérantes à la sécheresse.   English title: Factors determining the use of fertilizers by maize producers in northern Benin In the Sudanese and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Northen Benin, the sustainability of soil fertility is threatened by demographic pressure and climatic  hazards, the basis of low crop productivity. A study on the determining factors of the use of mineral and organic fertilizers was carried out based on  a survey of 262 maize producers in three agro-ecological zones of North Benin. A model was estimated to determine the variables influencing the  decision to use mineral fertilizer, organic fertilizer and their combination. The results reveal that variables such as age, number of years of schooling,  participation of producers in a demonstration trial on soil fertility, number of oxen, duration of village-CARDER walking from a on the one  hand and, the size of the household, the experience in agriculture, the mode of access to land on the other hand, have respectively a  significant negative and positive influence on the probabilities of using mineral fertilizer, organic fertilizer and their combination at the 1%, 5% and  10% thresholds. Finally, to increase the adoption rate, we need to raise awareness among producers. In addition, facilitate access to organic inputs,  credits and markets, encourage producers to adopt new sustainable land management practices, and improved varieties tolerant to drought. &nbsp

Typologie Pour L’actions Des Exploitations Agricoles A Base De Coton Dans Le Nord-Benin

Le présent article décrit les exploitations agricoles de la zone cotonnière Nord du Bénin. Il a été réalisé par une démarche de double typologie pour comprendre les interactions entre les facteurs de production et les ressources disponibles. Les données sont collectées auprès des chefs d’exploitations par un questionnaire structuré construit sur le serveur Kobotoolbox et administré à 250 exploitations cotonnières, choisies de façon aléatoire dans les communes de Banikoara et de Kandi. Les résultats montrent que les exploitations agricoles les plus anciennes ont tendance à réduire la diversification des cultures et fonctionnent comme des entreprises agricoles avec plus de main-d'œuvre extérieure. Les jeunes exploitations sont principalement orientées vers la culture du coton, qui occupe environ 50% des surfaces cultivées. Les petites exploitations sont généralement organisées de manière traditionnelle avec de petite superficie, mais certaines sont plus modernes. Les résultats montrent également que les exploitations agricoles les plus anciennes ont une meilleure connaissance des cultures et des marchés locaux, ce qui les incitent à se concentrer sur les activités qu'elles connaissent déjà

PERCEPTIONS AND ADAPTATIONS OF BEEKEEPERS AND HONEY HUNTERS TO CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE OF THE COMMUNES OFNATITINGOUANDTANGUIETA IN NORTHWEST OF BENIN

The effects of climate change are a major threat to the environment and sustainable development of most sub- Saharan African countries. The perceptions and adaptation strategies of beekeepers and other operators in the honey sector (i.e. honey hunters) to climate change are, however, not adequately explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of beekeepers and honey hunters towards climate change and strategies of adaptation in north-west Benin. In that respect, a survey was conducted among 120 beekeepers in the Communes of Tangui\ue9ta and Natitingou, northwest of Benin. Both beekeepers and honey hunters adopted several coping strategies such as: farming of other bee species, changing of beekeeping techniques, amendment of periods of beekeeping operations, displacement of the apiary, reduction or increase in number of hives and prayers. In a last resort, beekeepers that are severely affected by climate change had no other choice than abandoned beekeeping for honey hunting which, unfortunately, increased the pressure on the biodiversity of the bees.Les effets des changements climatiques constituent aujourd\u2019hui une menace majeure pour l\u2019environnement et le d\ue9veloppement durable de plusieurs pays de l\u2019Afrique sub-saharienne. Cependant, l\u2019effet perceptions et strat\ue9gies d\u2019adaptation que d\ue9veloppent les apiculteurs et les op\ue9rateurs du miel (ex. chasseurs de miel) face aux changements climatiques ne sont pas suffisamment explor\ue9s. L\u2019objectif de la pr\ue9sente \ue9tude effectu\ue9e dans le Nord Ouest du B\ue9nin visait \ue0 analyser les perceptions des apiculteurs et des exploitants du miel sur les changements climatiques \ue0 travers leurs strat\ue9gies d\u2019adaptation. A cet effet, une enqu\ueate a \ue9t\ue9 conduite aupr\ue8s de 120 exploitants du miel des Communes de Tangui\ue9ta et de Natitingou, au Nord-ouest du B\ue9nin. Il ressort de cette \ue9tude qu\u2019aussi bien les apiculteurs que les chasseurs de miel adoptent plusieurs strat\ue9gies d\u2019adaptation telles que: l\u2019\ue9levage d\u2019autres esp\ue8ces d\u2019abeilles, la modification des techniques apicoles, la modification des p\ue9riodes des op\ue9rations apicoles, le d\ue9placement du rucher, la r\ue9duction ou l\u2019augmentation du nombre de ruches et les pri\ue8res. En dernier recours, les apiculteurs les plus atteints par les effets des changements climatiques abandonnent simplement l\u2019apiculture pour la chasse au miel, ce qui accentue la pression sur la diversit\ue9 des abeilles

The dynamics of Africa’s fruit and vegetable processing sectors

The production of fruits and vegetables (F&V) in Africa has increased 3.3 percent annually during the last 20 years, but only 0.7 percent in per capita terms (FAOSTAT 2022; Figure 3.1). Africa has the lowest per capita production and consumption of F&V in the world, although South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt are large producers and exporters

Innovations for inclusive and sustainable growth of domestic food value chains: Fruits and vegetables value chains in Nigeria scoping report

Fruits & vegetable value chains (F&V VC) in Nigeria hold significant potential to continue toward sustainable, inclusive food system transformation. Domestic food system growth, including that of F&V, remains crucial in achieving a healthy food environment and serving as a source of various micronutrients. There is a need for bundles of innovations to address multiple challenges along F&V VC in Nigeria, characterized by a set of challenges that are unique to developing countries and F&V. V&F VC consists of many small actors, farmers, and traders, whereby limited vertical coordination can lead to significant efficiency loss along the value chain. Seasonal and temporal variations in supply-demand gaps for F&V commodities are substantial, and considerable scope exists for reducing losses and enhancing the overall efficiency of the domestic F&V sector. Policy environments are also favorable for such efforts, as the latest Agricultural Policy documents highlight the Nigerian government’s interest in modernizing F&V VC. Given the significant involvement of women and youths in the sector, F&V VC development has substantial potential to contribute to Nigeria's inclusive development of agrifood systems. The current domestic F&V VC in Nigeria suffers from various sets of problems. Access to quality seeds is limited due to the significant use of recycled seeds, limited supply, and high costs of certified seeds. Cooling practices are inefficient due to insufficient access to the grid and off-grid electricity, limited knowledge of intermediate cooling methods applicable at the farm gate, and constraining quality preservations at farm gate storage, during transportation, and storage at market premises. Processing is insufficient due to the high costs of processing equipment and limited knowledge of the construction and operation of simpler, less resource-dependent processing facilities, including drying of F&V commodities. Inappropriate packing, such as the use of Rafia baskets instead of Reusable Plastic Crates, which are commonly recognized, is still prevalent, potentially due to limited market coordination. Based on the stakeholder consultations, desk reviews, validation workshops, and availability of external resources, we identified the following as critical interventions to pilot various innovation bundles. Intervention #1 provides improved varieties and quality seeds, combined with agronomy training and certification, in northern Nigeria through the collaboration with East West Seeds and Wageningen University & Research. Intervention #2 provides off-grid cooling and cool transportation, including forced-air evaporative cooling units at farm clusters and the combination of small and large refrigerated trucks for local and longer-distance transportation, through the collaboration with ColdHubs and MIT-Lab. Intervention #3 introduces improved solar dryers and provides training on appropriate, hygienic processing methods, building, and utilization of these driers (possibly combined with the introduction of a business model), through the collaboration with World Vegetable Center and Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute. Intervention #4 provides plastic crates using various rental arrangements and improves market access for farmers through collaboration with private companies, including Bunkasa. Intervention #5 supplements interventions #1, #2, and #3 and provides improved information through certification and labeling. Lastly, Intervention #6 strengthens linkages between existing solar powered cold storages to supplement other interventions