Farm management strategies in the cotton-growing areas of North Benin

Abstract

Understanding the strategies adopted by farms to cope with the problems of profitable and sustainable farm management is essential if appropriate and effective agricultural development programs are to be put in place to increase resilience. This research examines farm management strategies in the cotton-growing areas of northern Benin. It is based on a study of 250 farms selected using a random sampling method in the communes of Banikoara and Kandi. Based on a content analysis supported by the calculation of descriptive statistical parameters, the results reveal a diversity of strategies developed by farms according to the constraints they face. In fact, farms are subject to six (6) major categories of constraints: those related to climate, land, financing, farm labor, the acquisition of production inputs and price shocks. Depending on each category of constraint, producers develop specific strategies to adapt to them and maintain their operations. The set of strategies developed by farmers is classified into three groups: 'survival' strategies, 'development' strategies and 'complement' strategies. The majority of producers are oriented towards survival strategies (45.85%) and development strategies (46.29%). Producers need capacity-building to help them develop and implement more effective strategies themselves, adapted to the constraints of their farms, as part of a process of prosperous and sustainable agriculture.

Key words: Constraints, Management strategy, Farming, Cotton, Benin

JEL Classification: O13, Q12

Paper type: Empirical research