Economic valuation of maize farming profitability under climate change adaptation in Benin, West Africa

Abstract

The major attempt of this paper is to analyse the profitability of maize farming in relation with observed climate change adaptation strategies. The study was conducted in Benin by a survey method on 336 maize producers. About 91% of the respondents undertook at least one adaptation strategy towards climate change. The observed strategies were categorised in four groups, including crop diversification, farming practices and calendar adjustment, land use strategies, and other adaptations (e.g. prayers, credit, and migration). Maize farming in the study zone was found to be profitable. Yet, the economic performances recorded by farmers were correlated with some of the climate change adaptation strategies. Crop diversification strategy was found as the most interesting adaptation to improve the farm economic profitability. Hence, research institutes and policy makers should work for providing crop varieties better adapted to climate change, especially to drier conditions, as to facilitate crop diversification behaviour among farmers.