Les eaux de ruissellement à Abomey et Bohicon, nuisances ou opportunités. Premiers résultats de concertations entre acteurs locaux

Les eaux de ruissellement constituent un problème sérieux dans la zone intra et périurbaine d’Abomey et de Bohicon. Erosions et inondations provoquent des dégâts importants sur les voies et les maisons, freinent la circulation, tandis que la rareté des eaux de surface est un handicap pourles activités agricoles. Pour mieux repérer le chemin des eaux et les actions de lutte actuelle et discuter des modalités avec les riverains, les élus et les services techniques d’actions potentielles,un outil de visualisation, la maquette en terre de barre a été développé pour les deux communesd’Abomey et de Bohicon et utilisé lors des réunions de concertation qui ont permis d’élaborer leSchéma de Dévelopement Sectoriel dans le domaine de l’assainissement d’une part, le Plan Communal de Développement d’autre part. Diverses actions ont été planifiées par les acteurs concernés pour mieux canaliser et valoriser les eaux de ruissellement mais la prévention propre-ment dite de l’érosion n’est pas encore prévue

Diversity in success: Interaction between external interventions and local actions in three rice farming areas in Benin

Since the rice crisis of 2007, the government of Benin has initiated many programmes for rice intensification. Comparison of three rice production areas shows that local rice production has indeed been increased by the facilities provided by the government programmes. Although broadly the same facilities (market outlet, credit, input, etc.) were provided to rice farmers in the three study areas, which are located close to one another, there are not only similar, but also some different outcomes with regard to farmers’ practices. There were also some unexpected changes, like the shift from limited collective canal cleaning to individual canal cleaning in Koussin-Lélé and the use of pumps in upland areas in Bamè. The study explores the interplay between these external interventions of government programmes and local actions of farmers to explain the outcomes. Using an actor-oriented perspective, the study concludes that farmers’ agency played a critical role in the success of interventions; the changes occurred because of local actions of the farmers and intermediaries interacting with the external interventions at diverse junctures. Differences in strategies for resolving livelihood problems, in production options and biophysical conditions influence farmers’ local actions and contribute to the explanation of the diversity of outcomes. The main lesson drawn from this research is that evaluation studies should not consider external interventions as the only or primary source of change. The dynamic interplay between local agency, intermediation and external interventions makes room for change

Diversity in success: Interaction between external interventions and local actions in three rice farming areas in Benin

Since the rice crisis of 2007, the government of Benin has initiated many programmes for rice intensification. Comparison of three rice production areas shows that local rice production has indeed been increased by the facilities provided by the government programmes. Although broadly the same facilities (market outlet, credit, input, etc.) were provided to rice farmers in the three study areas, which are located close to one another, there are not only similar, but also some different outcomes with regard to farmers' practices. There were also some unexpected changes, like the shift from limited collective canal cleaning to individual canal cleaning in Koussin-L?l? and the use of pumps in upland areas in Bam?. The study explores the interplay between these external interventions of government programmes and local actions of farmers to explain the outcomes. Using an actor-oriented perspective, the study concludes that farmers' agency played a critical role in the success of interventions; the changes occurred because of local actions of the farmers and intermediaries interacting with the external interventions at diverse junctures. Differences in strategies for resolving livelihood problems, in production options and biophysical conditions influence farmers' local actions and contribute to the explanation of the diversity of outcomes. The main lesson drawn from this research is that evaluation studies should not consider external interventions as the only or primary source of change. The dynamic interplay between local agency, intermediation and external interventions makes room for change

Drivers of cooperative choice: canal maintenance in smallholder irrigated rice production in Benin

Rice production in inland valleys in Southern Benin was initiated by the public sector. The subsequent devolution of responsibility for maintaining the collective irrigation infrastructure to farmers created an opportunity to study the factors that affect cooperation in canal maintenance. We used a social dilemma perspective to compare three rice production areas that differed in the extent of cooperation, based on focus group interviews, surveys, and archival research. The findings draw attention to the nature of the resource, the characteristics of the user group, and farmer-based institutional arrangements as explanatory variables. Specifically these include (1) the balance between water demand and availability, (2) the existence of inequities and privileged positions within the group, and (3) the strength of group organization and the ability to sanction uncooperative behaviour. The existence of alternative sources of livelihood also influenced cooperation. Contrary to our expectations, the largest and most diverse group of producers appeared best organized and equipped to engage in cooperation. Size and diversity might actually allow (1) the emergence of institutional arrangements that can overcome social dilemma situations and demotivation emanating from customary privileges and exemptions and (2) better use of Africa's irrigation potential

Organizational analysis of the seed sector of rice in Guinea: stakeholders, perception and institutional linkages

This paper analyses the organization of the rice seed sector in Guinea with the overall objectives to assess how organizational settings affect seed supply to small-scale farmers and to suggest institutional changes that would favour seed service and uptake of varieties. Data were collected in Guinea, West Africa, using focus group discussions with extension workers, farmers, representatives of farmers’ associations, agro-input dealers, researchers and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff, and surveys of 91 rice farming households and 41 local seed dealers. Findings suggest that the current institutional settings and perceptions of stakeholders from the formal seed sector inhibit smallholder farmers’ access to seed. Seed interventions in the past two decades have mainly relied on the national extension system, the research institute, NGOs, farmers’ associations and contract seed producers to ensure seed delivery. Although local seed dealers play a central role in providing seed to farmers, governmental organizations operating in a linear model of formal seed sector development have so far ignored their role. We discuss the need to find common ground and alternative models of seed sector development. In particular we suggest the involvement of local seed dealers in seed development activities to better link the formal and the informal seed systems and improve smallholder farmers’ access to seed from the formal secto

Pression foncière et individualisation des droits fonciers ruraux. Les limites de la théorie évolutionniste des droits de propriété, une étude de cas au Sud-Bénin

Depuis l’annonce étatique, au milieu des années 1990, d’un projet d’implantation d’un aéroport, Glo-Djigbé, arrondissement de la Commune d’Abomey-Calavi au Sud-Bénin, est confronté à une situation de pression foncière sans précédent liée aux ventes de terres. Cet article se propose de décrypter, dans un contexte de pluralisme juridique mêlant normes coutumières et règles officielles, les différents codes et logiques marchands. Il questionne, à partir d’éléments empiriques  nouveaux, les mutations socio-foncières en cours au regard des prévisions de la théorie évolutionniste des droits sur la terre qui a principalement orienté les politiques foncières en Afrique subsaharienne rurale ces dernières années. La méthodologie de mise en oeuvre a privilégié une approche socio-anthropologique qualitative basée sur l’entretien et l’observation. Les résultats obtenus permettent de nuancer profondément la théorie évolutionniste des droits de propriété qui prévoit l’effritement des systèmes fonciers coutumiers face à la pression démographique et marchande, et prône l’instauration subséquente de politiques de titrisation des terres rurales comme condition nécessaire à l’intensification agricole et au développement rural.Mots-clés : marchandisation foncière ; théorie évolutionniste des droits de propriété ; développement rural ; Bénin ; Afrique de l’Oues