IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v10y2021i4p425-d537428.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Farmers’ and Herders’ Perceptions on Rangeland Management in Two Agroecological Zones of Benin

Author

Listed:
  • Rodrigue Vivien Cao Diogo

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
    Laboratoire d’Innovation en Systèmes de Production IntégREs et de Gestion Durable des Terres (InSPIREs-GDT), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, Benin)

  • Luc Hippolyte Dossa

    (Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Production Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819 Cotonou Jéricho, Benin
    Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Kassel and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich Vanvanhossou

    (Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Production Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819 Cotonou Jéricho, Benin)

  • Badirou Dine Abdoulaye

    (Laboratoire d’Innovation en Systèmes de Production IntégREs et de Gestion Durable des Terres (InSPIREs-GDT), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, Benin)

  • Kossi Hélliot Dosseh

    (Laboratoire d’Innovation en Systèmes de Production IntégREs et de Gestion Durable des Terres (InSPIREs-GDT), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, Benin)

  • Marcel Houinato

    (Ecole des Sciences et Techniques de Production Animale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819 Cotonou Jéricho, Benin)

  • Eva Schlecht

    (Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, Universität Kassel and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Andreas Buerkert

    (Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics (OPATS), University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

The sustainable use of rangelands in pastoral areas requires the inclusion of all stakeholders to develop sound management strategies. However, the role of these actors in the sustainable management of natural resources is still poorly understood. The present study aims to (i) assess the perception of farmers and herders of the risks and opportunities of transhumance on rangeland resource use and management, and to (ii) generate useful knowledge for the design and implementation of policies that favor the coexistence of these actors and reduce competition over rangeland resources use in Benin. To this end, interviews were conducted with 240 crop farmers and herders using a semi-structured questionnaire in two contrasting agroecological zones in the northern (Kandi) and the southern (Kétou) part of the country. Among the respondents, 64% of farmers in the North were agro-pastoralists (owning 10.6 ha of land and 10.7 cattle) and 36% were herders (keeping 45.8 cattle and cultivating about 3.7 ha of land). They perceived that communal rangelands were entirely degraded. In the South, 36% of respondents were agro-pastoralists (with 0.3 cattle and farming 4 ha of land) and 64% cattle herders (raising 45.3 cattle and farming 0.9 ha of land only). Of the herders, 50% kept cattle for more than 20 years, while agro-pastoralists had no previous experience in cattle herding. Cultivation practices among crop farmers, such as high use of mineral fertilization (23.8%) and bush fires for land clearing (22.5%), were reported in Kandi (North) and Kétou (South) as factors that might contribute to land degradation. However, these farmers perceived transhumance as a threat to the sustainable use of natural resources. In contrast, herders perceived transhumance as an opportunity to valorize unused land and increase the availability of manure to cropland. The prevalent negative attitude of crop farmers regarding transhumant herders increases the vulnerability of cattle herding in both regions. There is an urgent need of raising awareness concerning the mutual benefits provided by the coexistence of crop farmers with herders to promote participative rangeland management strategies. This may contribute towards coping with the current challenges of food insecurity and increasing climate variability as well as to reducing recurrent conflicts in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrigue Vivien Cao Diogo & Luc Hippolyte Dossa & Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich Vanvanhossou & Badirou Dine Abdoulaye & Kossi Hélliot Dosseh & Marcel Houinato & Eva Schlecht & Andreas Buerkert, 2021. "Farmers’ and Herders’ Perceptions on Rangeland Management in Two Agroecological Zones of Benin," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:425-:d:537428
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/4/425/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/4/425/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Steve Tonah, 2002. "Fulani pastoralists, indigenous farmers and the contest for land in Northern Ghana," Africa Spectrum, Institute of African Affairs, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 37(1), pages 43-59.
    2. Okoruwa, Victor & Jabbar, M. A. & Akinwumi, J. A., 1996. "Crop-livestock competition in the West African derived savanna: Application of a multi-objective programming model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 52(4), pages 439-453, December.
    3. Augustine Ayantunde & Rainer Asse & Mohammed Said & Abdou Fall, 2014. "Transhumant pastoralism, sustainable management of natural resources and endemic ruminant livestock in the sub-humid zone of West Africa," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1097-1117, October.
    4. Michael Mortimore, 2010. "Adapting to drought in the Sahel: Lessons for climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(1), pages 134-143, January.
    5. Diogo, Rodrigue V.C. & Schlecht, Eva & Buerkert, Andreas & Rufino, Mariana C. & van Wijk, Mark T., 2013. "Increasing nutrient use efficiency through improved feeding and manure management in urban and peri-urban livestock units of a West African city: A scenario analysis," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 64-72.
    6. Favretto, N. & Stringer, L.C. & Dougill, A.J. & Dallimer, M. & Perkins, J.S. & Reed, M.S. & Atlhopheng, J.R. & Mulale, K., 2016. "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to identify dryland ecosystem service trade-offs under different rangeland land uses," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 142-151.
    7. Houessou, Sandrine O. & Dossa, Luc Hippolyte & Diogo, Rodrigue V.C. & Houinato, Marcel & Buerkert, Andreas & Schlecht, Eva, 2019. "Change and continuity in traditional cattle farming systems of West African Coast countries: A case study from Benin," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 112-122.
    8. Pierre-Yves Le Meur & Peter Hochet, 2010. "Property Relations by other Means: Conflict over Dryland Resources in Benin and Mali," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 22(5), pages 643-659, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. James Ellison & Katja Brinkmann & Rodrigue V. Cao Diogo & Andreas Buerkert, 2022. "Land cover transitions and effects of transhumance on available forage biomass of rangelands in Benin," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 12276-12310, October.
    2. Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich Vanvanhossou & Luc Hippolyte Dossa & Sven König, 2021. "Sustainable Management of Animal Genetic Resources to Improve Low-Input Livestock Production: Insights into Local Beninese Cattle Populations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich Vanvanhossou & Luc Hippolyte Dossa & Sven König, 2021. "Sustainable Management of Animal Genetic Resources to Improve Low-Input Livestock Production: Insights into Local Beninese Cattle Populations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, September.
    2. James Ellison & Katja Brinkmann & Rodrigue V. Cao Diogo & Andreas Buerkert, 2022. "Land cover transitions and effects of transhumance on available forage biomass of rangelands in Benin," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 12276-12310, October.
    3. Houessou, Sandrine O. & Dossa, Luc Hippolyte & Diogo, Rodrigue V.C. & Houinato, Marcel & Buerkert, Andreas & Schlecht, Eva, 2019. "Change and continuity in traditional cattle farming systems of West African Coast countries: A case study from Benin," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 112-122.
    4. Takeshima, Hiroyuki & Hatzenbuehler, Patrick L. & Edeh, Hyacinth O., 2020. "Effects of agricultural mechanization on economies of scope in crop production in Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    5. Thomas Campagnaro & Giovanni Trentanovi & Tommaso Sitzia, 2018. "Identifying Habitat Type Conservation Priorities under the Habitats Directive: Application to Two Italian Biogeographical Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-20, April.
    6. Peter Kojo Boateng, 2017. "Land Access, Agricultural Land Use Changes and Narratives about Land Degradation in the Savannahs of Northeast Ghana during the Pre-Colonial and Colonial Periods," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-26, March.
    7. Stafford, William & Birch, Catherine & Etter, Hannes & Blanchard, Ryan & Mudavanhu, Shepherd & Angelstam, Per & Blignaut, James & Ferreira, Louwrens & Marais, Christo, 2017. "The economics of landscape restoration: Benefits of controlling bush encroachment and invasive plant species in South Africa and Namibia," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(PB), pages 193-202.
    8. Saifullahi Sani Ibrahim & Huseyin Ozdeser & Behiye Cavusoglu, 2020. "Testing the impact of environmental hazards and violent conflicts on sustainable pastoral development: micro-level evidence from Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 4169-4190, June.
    9. Chilombo, Andrew & Van Der Horst, Dan, 2021. "Livelihoods and coping strategies of local communities on previous customary land in limbo of commercial agricultural development: Lessons from the farm block program in Zambia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    10. Zenebe Gebreegziabher & Kooten, G. Cornelis van, 2016. "Single versus Multiple Objective(s) Decision Making: An Application to Subsistence Farms in Northern Ethiopia," Ethiopian Journal of Economics, Ethiopian Economics Association, vol. 24(2), August.
    11. Rasmussen, Laura Vang, 2018. "Re-Defining Sahelian ‘Adaptive Agriculture’ when Implemented Locally: Beyond Techno-fix Solutions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 274-282.
    12. Kandel, Matt & Anghileri, Daniela & Alare, Rahinatu S. & Lovett, Peter N. & Agaba, Genevieve & Addoah, Thomas & Schreckenberg, Kate, 2022. "Farmers’ perspectives and context are key for the success and sustainability of farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) in northeastern Ghana," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    13. Regina Roessler & Serge E. Mpouam & Tichaona Muchemwa & Eva Schlecht, 2016. "Emerging Development Pathways of Urban Livestock Production in Rapidly Growing West Africa Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-25, November.
    14. Nadir Elagib, 2015. "Drought risk during the early growing season in Sahelian Sudan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(3), pages 1549-1566, December.
    15. Martin, D.M. & Mazzotta, M., 2018. "Non-monetary valuation using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Sensitivity of additive aggregation methods to scaling and compensation assumptions," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 29(PA), pages 13-22.
    16. Allison M. Chatrchyan & Rachel C. Erlebacher & Nina T. Chaopricha & Joana Chan & Daniel Tobin & Shorna B. Allred, 2017. "United States agricultural stakeholder views and decisions on climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(5), September.
    17. Richard A. Mbih & Steven L. Driever & Stephen K. Ndzeidze & Mbongowo J. Mbuh & Carine S. Bongadzem & Harry M. Wirngo, 2018. "Fulani pastoralists’ transformation process: a sustainable development approach in the Western Highlands of Cameroon," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 789-807, April.
    18. Rattan Lal, 2014. "Climate Strategic Soil Management," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-32, February.
    19. Hayashi, Kiyotada, 2000. "Multicriteria analysis for agricultural resource management: A critical survey and future perspectives," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(2), pages 486-500, April.
    20. Dilshad Ahmad & Muhammad Afzal, 2022. "Impact of violent conflicts and environmental hazards on pastoral sustainable development in Punjab, Pakistan," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(9), pages 11260-11281, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:425-:d:537428. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.