Abstract
This document addresses the farming practices and their characteristics on three watersheds in southern Benin. These watersheds are located in the villages of Govie, in Allada district, Lokogba in Aplahoue district and Linsinlin in Djidja district. Simple random sampling is used to investigate 417 farm households at the rate of 139 per village. Focus groups are conducted with resource persons and individual interviews according to a survey tool. The observation unit of the survey is the head of the farm household. In the villages of Lokogba and Linsinlin, farm households practice slash and burn agriculture in contrast to those of the village of Govie where residues are not burned. Soil conservation practices (direct sowing, minimum tillage) are made in the village of Lokogba while tillage is widely practiced in the other villages. In the village of Govie, some households use mulch and mineral fertilizers, but the rate is low. Organic fertilizers are used by 40.2% of farmers in Lokogba village. Crop rotation and fallow are still widely practiced in this village by 85.6 and 84.6% of the surveyed households respectively. In other villages, these practices are absent or present at very low levels showing their high level of agricultural intensification. Weeding is the main preventive measures used by farmers in village of Govie (38.8%), Lokogba (93.8%) and Linsinlin (23.2%). Chemical pests control is used by all farmers of village of Linsinlin and Lokogba. The farming practices are significantly specific to the surveyed villages. Soil conservation practices are more observed at Govie than Lokogba. In the village of Linsinlin, these practices are almost absent. Key words: Soil conservation, farming practices, cropping systems, watersheds, Benin.
Highlights
Soil and water are basic, vital and essential resources for sustainable agriculture
This study aims at characterizing agricultural practices at three watersheds of southern regions of Benin
The main characteristics of households considered in the study include among others the socioeconomic, education and demographic characteristics
Summary
Soil and water are basic, vital and essential resources for sustainable agriculture. Sustainability implies here utilizing these resources in ways that ensure little or no damage whilst guaranteeing their continuous usage508 Afr. Soil and water are basic, vital and essential resources for sustainable agriculture. Sustainability implies here utilizing these resources in ways that ensure little or no damage whilst guaranteeing their continuous usage. Land degradation was a significant global issue during the 20th century and remains of high importance in the 21st century as it affects the environment, agronomic productivity, food security, and quality of life (Eswaran et al, 2001). Soil degradation processes include the loss of topsoil by the action of water or wind, chemical deterioration such as nutrient depletion, physical degradation such as compaction, and biological deterioration of natural resources including the reduction of soil biodiversity (Lal, 2001)
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