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Le principal défi de la vulgarisation et du conseil agricole au 21ème siècle est de mettre au point des approches durables de conseil qui placent des paysans au centre comme des agents de changement au sein de leur communauté. La vulgarisation de paysan à paysan (VPP) est l’une de ces approches qui a connu une croissance en Afrique cette dernière décennie. L’étude a évalué l’efficacité de l’utilisation des Animateurs Relais (AR) dans la mise en œuvre du conseil à l’exploitation familiale (CEF) par le Programme d’appui aux dynamiques productives. Les données ont été collectées auprès d’un échantillon aléatoire de 226 producteurs. Nos résultats ont montré que les adhérents ont connu une amélioration significative des capacités de gestion de trésorerie (87%), de stock de production (89%), de la main d’œuvre (70%), de planification de leurs activités (85%) et dans la définition d’un projet de développement de leur exploitation (95%). Aussi, les résultats ont-ils montré une réduction des contraintes techniques des principales cultures (68%), suivie d’une augmentation des rendements (76%). Enfin, une augmentation des revenus (91%) et une amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire (73%) ont en outre été constatées. Le profil socioéconimque des AR, l’effet de groupe, associés à la mise en œuvre du CEF expliquent les résultats obtenus.

En Afrique subsaharienne, les petits exploitants agricoles ruraux ont difficilement accès aux connaissances et informations actualisées afin d’améliorer leur revenu. Pour renforcer l’apprentissage collectif au sein des acteurs des chaînes de valeur du riz local blanc et étuvé, la vidéo et la radio ont été utilisées de façon participative. La présente étude visait à comprendre l’influence de cet apprentissage collectif sur (i) le changement des pratiques des transformations et (ii) la qualité du riz local. Des interviews et suivis hebdomadaires ont été réalisés entre 2009 et 2018 au sud et nord du Bénin auprès de 240 transformateurs choisis aléatoirement. Des échantillons de riz ont été également collectés pour des analyses de qualité au laboratoire. L’analyse des données a été faite avec les tests t de Student, Wilcoxon, ANOVA, et le modèle de régression de Poisson. Les résultats ont montré une amélioration des pratiques de 14% ; 23% et 58% respectivement dans les villages contrôles, radio et vidéo. Dans le processus d’amélioration des pratiques, les transformateurs ont renforcé leur créativité en développant des technologies appropriées à leur environnement ; ce qui a eu un impact positif sur les qualités physiques et de cuisson du riz. Dans un contexte de pauvreté, d’insécurité alimentaire, de ruralité et d’analphabétisme, l’apprentissage collectif par la vidéo et la radio locale se révèle être une opportunité pour le renforcement du système d’innovation agricole. English title: Smallholder farmers at inclusive school: Lessons learnt from collective learning through video and radio on local rice processing in Benin In sub-Saharan Africa, rural smallholder farmers have limited access to timely and up-to-date knowledge and information to improve their incomes. To strengthen collective learning among rice sector’ stakeholders, videos and radio were participatory used. This study aims to assess the impact of this collective learning on (i) changing rice processors practices and (ii) the quality of local rice. Interviews and weekly follow-ups were conducted between 2009 and 2018 in southern and northern Benin with 240 randomly selected rice processors. Rice samples were also collected for quality analysis in the laboratory. Data analysis was done with Student's t-tests, Wilcoxon, one-way ANOVA, and the Poisson regression model. The results showed an improvement in rice processors practices of 14%; 23% and 58% respectively in control, video and radio villages. During the improvement of their practices, rice processors have increased their creativity by developing appropriate technologies to their environment; and this has positively impact on the physical and cooking qualities of the rice. In a context of poverty, food insecurity, rurality and illiteracy, collective learning through video and radio seems to be an opportunity to strengthen the agricultural innovation system, and a booster for change through adoption and adaptation of innovation.

Agricultural advisory, a learning and decision-making approach, is an important part of the agricultural policies in Sub-saharan Africa. This study aims to analyse the agricultural advisory service provided by comparing the organizational framework and implementation strategies with the realities observed in practice. Using simple random sampling method, 6 groups of 30 farmers from 6 different villages and 30 agricultural advisers were selected in the south of Benin, “Atlantique” department. Data were collected through focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using an analytical framework integrating the institutional and social environment as well as the various modalities used for the provision of agricultural advice. Results highlighted four main categories of factors limiting farmers’ access to agricultural advisory service: (i) agricultural advisory service-oriented towards large farms; (ii) individualized and overly specialized advice; (iii) limited number and unskilled agricultural advisers; and (iv) a “gendarme” monitoring and evaluation system little oriented towards the quality of the advice. This critical analysis of the implementation of the agricultural advice service offers some guidelines for strengthening agricultural innovation systems.

Aims: This article aims to analyze the main factors that influence the performance of the governance of Producers' Organizations in the context of the Uniform Act of OHADA devoted to the Law on cooperative societies. Study Design: The case study is based on Village Cotton Producers Cooperatives (CVPCs). Governance performance of CVPCs referred to and has been measured through respectively quality of internal governance (administrative) and quality of services provided to members. Place and Duration of Study: The study has been carried out in the Department of Alibori, northern Benin Republic. Data collection period run from July to October 2019. Methodology: We included 242 CVPCs selected in the six municipalities in the Department of Alibori. Primary data relating to socio-economic characteristics (the size of the CVPC, the age, the proportion of women in group, profile of leaders), and governance parameters related to internal governance and the quality of services provided to members. Results: The results revealed that internal governance is generally poor and the quality of services provided to members is good. The proportion of women and the profile of leaders determine (bad) internal governance compared to good governance. The low profile of the leaders, the small size and the low proportion of women determine the quality of the services provided to members. The more the profile of leaders improves, the more likely it is to have good governance. On the other hand, the more the proportion of women in CVPCs increases, the more there is a chance of having bad internal governance rather than good governance. Conclusion: These results suggest that the lower or medium the profile of leaders, the poorer or average internal governance and services provided to members will be. A better combination of all these determinants will improve both the quality of internal governance and the services provided to members in a CVPC.

Bananas and plantains production is an important income source for millions of small farmers. The increased demand for bananas and plantains on national and international market would justify its value chain development. However, its value chain faces several constraints, of which production and marketing turn out to be the most important. This study aimed at determining and analyzing the constraints related to Bananas and Plantains value chain and showing the gaps between agroecological and agricultural practices used by farmers in southern Benin. Characterization was carried out on the seed production systems, agricultural practices, bananas and plantains production, fruit availability and commercialization constraints with farmers using individual and focus groups surveys. Bananas and plantains seedlings production and acquisition varied according to production areas. Their seedlings self-production was widespread in production areas and 26 cultivars have been identified as major. The availability of these cultivars varied across time and production areas. There were significant negative effects of agricultural practices on major banana pest’s presence. Bananas and plantains production was limited by 12 factors, from which banana plants fall related to the wind, lack of financial support to irrigate banana fields, climate changes, no availability of cultivable lands and low rainfall are revealed to be the most important. Regarding commercialization constraints, low sale prices and difficult access to markets were the most important. Better knowledge of bananas and plantains production systems would help to develop sustainable organic farming strategies to reduce the constraints identified.

Training videos are extension tools that help to compensate for the low ratio of extensionists to farmers in most developing countries. This article reports on a study that aimed to understand the ...

Agricultural advisory, a learning and decision-making approach, is an important part of the agricultural policies in Sub-saharan Africa. This study aims to analyse the agricultural advisory service provided by comparing the organizational framework and implementation strategies with the realities observed in practice. Using simple random sampling method, 6 groups of 30 farmers from 6 different villages and 30 agricultural advisers were selected in the south of Benin, “Atlantique” department. Data were collected through focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using an analytical framework integrating the institutional and social environment as well as the various modalities used for the provision of agricultural advice. Results highlighted four main categories of factors limiting farmers’ access to agricultural advisory service: (i) agricultural advisory service-oriented towards large farms; (ii) individualized and overly specialized advice; (iii) limited number and unskilled agricultural advisers; and (iv) a “gendarme” monitoring and evaluation system little oriented towards the quality of the advice. This critical analysis of the implementation of the agricultural advice service offers some guidelines for strengthening agricultural innovation systems.

Farmers’ access to reliable information is crucial to improving rural livelihoods, food security, and national economies in West Africa. This paper discusses the dynamics of accessing and using agricultural learning videos from commercial channels, vs project and non-project channels in Benin and Mali. Using combinations of different models to assess the effectiveness of agricultural extension programs, the findings showed that farmers were motivated to pay for videos and watch them by themselves, without facilitation. Farmers who watched the videos through project support have also continued to watch on their own if the videos are of interest to them. Nevertheless, farmers were less motivated in the learning process when they received the Digital Video Disc (DVD) free and without support to watch them. We also found that the distribution of learning videos through commercial channels reaches more serious users and increases farmers’ self-determination for learning, and farmers are more motivated to provide feedback than viewers who receive DVDs for free or via project support, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), or farmer organizations. Although buying a DVD is an individual action, they like to watch the videos in groups. After buying the DVD, about 43% of respondent borrowed DVD players and one person in five bought a DVD player to watch the videos. Efforts to promote improved technologies need to expand beyond the conventional focus on research and extension services. Support to agricultural technology dissemination must go beyond assistance to smallholder farmers and NGOs (practical implication). As the private sector has a role to play, both in making technologies available and in teaching farmers how to use them, their contribution would create space for innovation (theoretical implication). Our findings suggest that successful development intervention programs can be sell audiovisual material to farmers, who will use it proactively.

Vegetable production plays an important role in nutrition, food security and poverty reduction in Benin. However, vegetable production is hampered by pests and farmers rely on pesticides to control...

La connaissance des caracteristiques des systemes de culture est un atout pour le developpement du secteur agricole. C’est dans ce cadre que cette etude vise a identifier et a caracteriser les systemes de culture pratiques par les producteurs de coton biologique au Benin. Pour y parvenir, une enquete a ete conduite sur un echantillon de 176 producteurs. L'analyse des donnees par la Classification Ascendante Hierarchique a permis d’identifier les systemes de culture. Leur caracterisation a ete faite selon les pratiques culturales, le rendement, leur frequence dans les Communes et les ethnies. Les resultats obtenus ont permis d’identifier quatre systemes de culture du coton biologique : le systeme de culture mecanisee avec traction animale qui n’utilise pas de nouveaux paquets technologiques (S1) ; le systeme de culture manuelle qui utilise les legumineuses comme precedent cultural (S2) ; le systeme de culture mecanisee avec traction animale qui utilise de nouveaux paquets technologiques (S3) et le systeme de culture mecanisee avec traction animale qui utilise de nouveaux paquets technologiques mais qui continue avec la pratique de defrichement avec brulis (S4). Les elements permettant de distinguer les systemes sont : preparation du terrain, rotation, precedents culturaux, engrais organiques, plantes insecticides, plantes pieges et cultures associees. Tous les producteurs enquetes a Glazoue, Kandi et Sinende ont pratique respectivement les systemes de culture S2, S1 et S4. A Banikoara, 96,67% des producteurs ont pratique le systeme S3 contre 3,33% pour le systeme S1. Les producteurs de Ouassa-Pehunco pratiquaient a 77,78% le systeme S3 contre 22,22% pour le systeme S1. Les enquetes des ethnies Adja, Fon et Mahi ont pratique a 100% le systeme S2. Par contre, tous les Haoussa et les Monkole ont pratique le systeme S1. Les Gando, Peulh et Bariba ne pratiquaient pas specifiquement un systeme. Le systeme de culture S2 a obtenu le rendement moyen le plus eleve (885,80 ± 36,3 kg/ha). En somme, les systemes de culture varient selon les Communes et les ethnies. Le systeme S1 a ete le plus pratique par les producteurs. © 2018 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles: Systemes de culture, coton biologique, pratiques culturales, Benin, labour mecanise English Title: Typology of organic cotton growing systems in Benin English Abstract Understanding growing systems characteristics is relevant for agricultural development. In this context, the present study seeks to identify and characterize the growing systems practised by the producers of Organic Cotton in Benin. To reach this goal, a survey was conducted on a sample of 176 producers. The analysis of the data by Hierarchical classification allowed to identify the growing systems. Their characterization was made according to the farming practices, performance, their frequency in the townships and in the ethnic groups. The results obtained allowed the identification of four growing systems of Organic Cotton: The system of mechanized cultivation with animal traction that does not use new technological packages (S1); the system of manual culture which uses vegetables like previous cropping (S2); the system of mechanized cultivation with animal traction which uses new technological packages (S3) and the system of mechanized cultivation with animal traction which uses new technological packages but continues with the practice of clearing with fire (S4). These systems are distinguished primarily by the variables such as the preparation of the soil, the rotation, the previous cropping, the organic fertilizer, plants insecticides, plants traps and associated cultures. All the producers investigated at Glazoue, Kandi and Sinende practised respectively the growing systems S2, S1 and S4. Banikoara has, 96,67% of the growers are the system S3 against 3.33% for the system S1. The producers of Ouassa-Pehunco practised at 77.78% the system S3 against 22.22% for the system S1. Respondents of the ethnic groups Adja, Fon and Mahi practised at 100% the system S2. However all Haoussa and Monkole practised the system S1. Gando, Peulh and Bariba did not practise a system specifically. The system S2 obtained the highest average yield (885,80 ± 36.3 kg/ha). In conclusion, the growing systems vary according to the Common and the ethnic groups. The System S1 was more practised by the producers. © 2018 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Growing systems, organic cotton, farming practices, Benin, mechanized ploughing

Commercial channels can be non-conventional networks for disseminating agricultural information, especially if farmers are willing to pay for a DVD with learning videos. Using purposive sampling, we selected retailer and involved them in selling videos compiled in a DVD. Inside the jacket of DVD, we pasted a sticker listing a phone number that buyers or video viewers could call for further questions. We interviewed 341 of the buyers who called that number. After the phone interviews, snowball sampling was used to select 180 farmers for face-to-face interviews in order to validate the information collected during the telephone interviews and to understand the behavioural changes triggered by watching the videos. Within four months of first distributing DVDs to retailers, 80% of the 700 DVDs were sold. Distributing videos through commercial channels gives a fair chance to everyone to learn, since the DVDs were sold on the open market at an affordable price. About 84% of the DVDs were sold at 1 USD, suggesting that all of the respondents were willing to pay for learning DVDs; 86% of respondents said they now spent less money on pesticides after watching the videos. Private sector actors can become “new extensionists” and distribute agricultural information to rural populations.

Current debate about organic farming emphasizes on the sustainability of farming systems, rural livelihood, and food quality on the technical and economic factors influencing the conversion to organic farming. The paper aims at describing the psychosocial adoption factors associated with institutional and technical support systems set up for the promotion of organic farming, based on a case study in Benin. We carried out this study in Djidja District in South Benin. We conducted semi-structured interviews with two leaders and five agricultural advisers from the Benin Organisation for Promoting Organic Agriculture and structured interviews with 100 farmers selected randomly among 255 organic farmers, 50 non-adopters to record why they did not adopt organic farming, and 25 farmers who reverted to conventional farming to understand their rationales. We used descriptive statistics and correlation for quantitative data analysis and discourse analysis for qualitative data analysis. We found that important factors that affected the adoption of organic farming were their perceptions of the characteristics of the technology, the economic factors, the institutional support for socio-technical learning networks, and the credit gained by the nongovernmental organization promoting organic farming. Farmers' needs for technical competence, social relatedness, and farm income safety acted as psychosocial mediators between the technical and institutional supports and their motivation to convert to organic farming. Alongside their technical abilities, the capacity of agricultural advisers to cope with psychosocial factors associated with the institutional support systems appears to be crucial in motivating farmers to adopt innovation.

This paper investigated how and why the issue of trust building between the park direction and the local communities gave way to a hidden conflict in the participatory management of the Pendjari national park (PNP) in Benin, and how it was managed. The findings revealed that calculus-based trust was built at the beginning of the process and enabled an improved relationship and collaboration between the park direction and local communities, and a subsequent raise of wildlife in the park. However, dysfunctional use of the trust built led to the emergence of distrust, which evolved into conflict. This conflict was hidden by the illusion of peaceful relationships between the stakeholders as pursued in common meetings. It was noticeable only through accusations on each other, including the shift of responsibility for solving the conflict when discussing the management separately with the different stakeholders. We conclude that (dis)trust should not be looked as a static/cognitive state, but as a dynamic frame that may be strategically used in interaction.

In natural resource management facilitation literature, little attention is paid to sensitive issues in multi-stakeholder interaction and learning. This article aims to fill this gap. It discusses the variety of discursive strategies used by stakeholders to address sensitive issues with regard to fishery management in Benin, in three different settings: individual interviews, homogeneous groups' discussions, and a heterogeneous group meeting. Issues that proved sensitive were discussed openly in the interviews or homogeneous groups' discussions, but not at all, or only indirectly, in the heterogeneous group meeting. With indirect discursive strategies, two out of the seven sensitive issues were put on the discussions' agenda. We conclude that the other issues were too sensitive among others because of historically grown interdependency between interventionists and fishers. We suggest that dealing with sensitive issues is an important dimension of the facilitation of interactive learning processes and provide methodological guidelines to detect and address such issues.

Aflatoxin (AF) is a human health, nutrition, and financial risk to many people in the developing world. AF contamination in peanut is caused by the fungi: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. AF is a potent carcinogenic toxin that also causes millions of dollars of financial losses to people in Africa. The fungus producing the AF can be reduced to an acceptable level by proper drying, sorting, storage, and cleaning of peanut. Government intervention and regulation can also encourage market participants to reduce AF contamination. In this paper, we examine the financial risk associated with sorting, and storing of peanut and peanut products along the marketing chain. Study results show that the prices paid for peanut, prices received, the costs of sorting and storage are dominant factors in reducing AF levels in peanut. Practices such as drying, sorting, and storing, however, pose financial risks to market traders of peanut. Unless government intervenes by requesting an AF-reduced peanut and provides assistance for market liberalization where market participants consider quality in trading decisions, suppliers of peanut will be reluctant to adopt AF-reducing techniques.

La presente etude met en exergue la variable humaine, responsable des perturbations climatiques suite aux actions anthropiques. Elle a ete conduite dans deux communes de la vallee de l’Oueme, compte tenu de leurs nombreuses potentialites hydro‑agricoles et de leur vulnerabilite aux intenses activites agricoles. La methodologie de recherche comprend : une etude exploratoire permettant de choisir les villages sur la base de criteres tels que la toposequence et l’importance des activites agricoles, une phase d’enquetes approfondies avec l’administration de questionnaires structures aupres de 70 producteurs, des entretiens semi-structures, informels individuels et de groupes, des transects participatifs et une triangulation de sources d’informations complementaires. Les analyses de perceptions et strategies d’adaptation ont ete faites avec les populations et SAS a ete utilise pour l’analyse en composantes principales. Les resultats revelent que les producteurs percoivent et vivent les effets des changements climatiques avec pour consequences de profonds bouleversements socio-economiques ces quinze dernieres annees. Ces bouleversements concernent les precipitations caracterisees par des sequences d’inondation, de secheresse prolongee, de fortes temperatures et une frequence elevee des vents violents. Les causes de ces changements sont attribuees aux bouleversements des normes sociales et les petits producteurs sont les plus vulnerables. Diverses strategies developpees comprennent l’adoption de varietes a cycles plus courts, la mise en valeur de differentes unites de paysage, l’intensification de l’utilisation des engrais chimiques, la diversification des sources de revenus.

A pest management strategy entitled Staggered Targeted Control (in French Lutte Étagée Ciblée, known as LEC) has been promoted in Benin since 1988 as an alternative to the conventional spraying strategy in order to reduce production costs and improve cotton yield and quality. Many cotton growers are eager to use LEC and many projects are promoting it but the strategy is not widely applied in cotton growing areas. This study identifies the main reasons that hinder the adoption of LEC. Results show that LEC in its current form could not be considered a viable innovation because of a lack of alignment among key elements within the cotton sector. Socio-organizational arrangements for the management of pesticide leftovers and the setting up of a mechanism for farmers’ empowerment are key institutional changes that could shift crop protection towards wider adoption of LEC. Actors in the cotton sector have furthermore suggested a transition towards a participatory approach in extension to improve farmers’ expertise in LEC implementation, bypassing existing channels for delivery of LEC pesticides, and promoting alternatives like botanicals and biopesticides.

When the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)1 introduced improved parboiling technology in Benin in 2006 through farmer-to-farmer video, it enhanced women's creativity and motivation to parboil more and better the quality of rice. Their rice attracted more buyers and fetched a higher price which increased their profits and strengthened the women's social cohesion. The video motivated women to start parboiling as a group and to express group-based requests for credit and training. However, newly established women's groups in villages with strong negative experiences from the cotton sector did not last because of fear and mistrust. The video helped local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve their training methods and strengthened their relations with rural communities and between the women rice processors and input and output markets. Although these NGOs responded by facilitating access to micro-finance institutions, they were unwilling to provide credit to the groups because of past bad experiences...

This article deals with the comparison of the conventional training based on two day community workshops and farmer-to-farmer video used as methodologies for the dissemination of improved rice parboiling process in Benin. From November 2007 to May 2008, we interviewed 160 women and 17 women groups who had been exposed to both, one or other of the methodologies. Data were analysed using ANOVA and logistic binomial regressions. Video reached more women (74%) than conventional training (27%). The conventional training was biased by participant selection, stakes in per diem payment and monopoly by the elite class. Video helped to overcome local power structures and reduced conflict at the community level. More than 95% of those who watched the video adopted drying their rice on tarpaulins and removed their shoes before stirring the rice, compared to about 50% of those who received traditional training and did not watch the video. Group use of the improved equipment was significantly higher for those ...

This paper analyses the organizational, financial and technological incentives that service organizations used to motivate farmers to finance agricultural research and extension in Benin. Understanding the foundations and implications of these motivation systems is important for improving farmer financial participation in agricultural research and extension. We studied three cases of farmer financial participation in the field of agricultural research and extension in Benin. We conducted semi-structured interviews with leaders of service organizations and farmers’ associations, local authorities and individual farmers. Our interviews focused on service delivery systems, mechanisms of farmers’ financial contribution, the functioning of farmers’ associations, and the appropriateness of services provided. We performed thematic and comparative analyses at the interfaces between (1) service providers and partner–farmer associations, (2) service providers and delivered services, and (3) farmers/farmers...

Understanding how to stimulate innovation among farmers and processors is crucial for attaining sustainable agriculture. To explore how farmer-to-farmer learning videos and training workshops changed women’s rice processing practices, we interviewed 200 women and 17 women’s groups in 20 villages in central Benin, including four villages which had received no intervention at all. Video on improved rice parboiling (a process whereby paddy is pre-cooked by steam without touching the water) had reached three times more women (74%) than hands-on training workshops organized by local NGOs and contributed to more equitable knowledge sharing within communities. In the villages where the NGOs had shown the video, 24% of the women started to use the improved parboiler equipment individually and 56% collectively within their group, compared to none in the control villages. About 92% of the women who attended both video and workshops developed creative solutions based on the idea of pre-cooking paddy with steam, compared to 72% for those who learned only through video. Fewer women innovated after learning through workshops only (19%) and after being informed by their peers (15%). Video watching also made women pay attention to reducing the loss of steam and to use local resources innovatively to conserve energy. More than 90% of the women who watched the video improved the quality of their parboiled rice, for example, by removing dirt, washing rice several times and drying rice on tarpaulins. Workshops stimulated innovations less than video did. Farmer-to-farmer video has great potential to enhance sustainable agriculture by encouraging local innovations.

Purpose: This study assesses the effect of participatory research on farmers’ knowledge and practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Benin. The participatory field experiments were carried out during the 2011–2012 cotton growing season, and focused on the development and application of pest management knowledge. Methodology: A ‘Difference-in-Differences’ methodology was used to document the changes in farmers’ knowledge and practices across the following season, 2012–2013. Of the 180 cotton growers sampled, 150 took part in the research, while 30 served as the control. Findings: Participation in the research increased farmers’ ability to recognise pests and natural enemies and how to use thresholds and apply bio-pesticides. Increase in knowledge did not lead to any modification in the farmers’ use of neem oil and the entomopathogen Beauveria, but it did lead to a significant change in threshold-based pesticide applications. Farmers seemed to want to reduce pest management costs, whatever the type of pesticide recommended (conventional or biobased). Practical Implications: Development practitioners should be aware that changes in practices of IPM are not only knowledge driven. Other factors such as financial consideration and specific input availability are also needed for the success of an effective pest management strategy. Originality/Value: In any interactive process, the Difference-in-Differences methodology is an appropriate tool for an effective assessment of changes in farmers’ knowledge and practices over time.

The maintenance and utilization of crop genetic diversity is important to ensure food security. The relative importance of yam and cowpea varieties and the influence of the socio-cultural and local economy context on the diversity maintained were analysed in Benin. Whereas the diversity is large, some varieties were rare, other ones on the way of being abandoned or already lost. Socio-cultural as well as economic and agronomic characteristics explained why some of them were still maintained. For example, the early-maturing yam variety Laboko was planted by most farmers to have tubers available in time for religious purposes, and some specific cowpea varieties played a role in the funeral of the parents in law. Farmers' preferences were translated into criteria they use to appreciate varieties. The diversity of the varieties sold on the market and their availability over time reflect farmers' strategies and conservation practices. The large price differences between varieties confirm the variation in quality as perceived by consumers. The most widely grown yam variety, Florido, is available on the market throughout the year but has a very low price. Market price differences among varieties are much smaller for cowpea than for yam. The processes of loss and displacement of some local varieties are described and the need for conservation is addressed. Different factors that may influence the level of varietal diversity in these crops, like the need to synchronize harvesting with high market prices, were analysed in depth. As opposed to mono-disciplinary approaches of scientists to farmers' problems and constraints, farmers show an inter- or trans-disciplinary behaviour and express their preferences through multi-criteria processes.

This paper assesses the climate smart agricultural practices triggered by learning videos on integrated striga management, soil fertility and cost and benefit evaluation practices. Using household head interviews and focus group discussions, this study revealed that farmers have similar perceptions of climate change and related impacts in video-villages and in non-video-villages. However, farmers’ observation of climate change and related impacts are influenced by gender; men perceived more climate change and related impacts than women. In non-video villages, few respondents adopted crop rotation, intercropping, crop diversification, improved short-cycle seed varieties and zaï techniques as climate change adaptation strategies. Videos contribute more to the adoption of crop rotation, intercropping and fertilizer application for men than women. Videos on accounting (managing money) enable more women than men to enhance their cost-benefit evaluation practices for income improvement. During the interviews, women farmers in video-villages were eager to demonstrate their knowledge about cost and benefit evaluation. We also found that the yield of sorghum, millet and maize is high in video-villages and low in non-video-villages. Thus, using videos as extension tool is suitable for knowledge development and leads to the high adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices for food security.

Cet article se veut une contribution a la comprehension des mecanismes d'apprentissage par les videos en vulgarisation agricole. Trois indicateurs, le nombre de messages retenus, le nombre de messages compris et le nombre de messages appliques, ont ete utilises pour comparer l'efficacite de trois methodes de diffusion des informations techniques rizicoles. Il s'agit 1) de la simple mise a disposition de DVD, 2) de la projection sans facilitation et 3) de la projection avec facilitation. Un guide d'entretien a permis d'echanger avec les responsables de groupements rizicoles et les services d'encadrement tandis qu'un questionnaire a permis de collecter des donnees aupres de cent producteurs de riz dans trois communes du Sud du Benin : Come, Lokossa et Athieme. Les resultats montrent que la simple mise a disposition de DVD permet une meilleure memorisation et comprehension des messages contenus dans les videos que les deux autres methodes. Cela montre que la presence d'un vulgarisateur/facilitateur n'est pas toujours indispensable a l'apprentissage paysan lorsque le support est adequat et que le contenu presente un interet pour les producteurs. Des voies d'apprentissage non conventionnelles et peu onereuses existent donc pour les paysans. Elles puisent leur essence dans les motivations individuelles paysannes. Ces resultats pourront aider les structures de vulgarisation agricole a choisir des methodes de diffusion des informations par des videos.

International audience; Within the context of the FP7 JOLISAA project (JOint Learning in and about Innovation Systems in African Agriculture), an inventory of agricultural innovation experiences was developed in three African countries: Kenya, South Africa and Benin. The main objective was to assess a broad diversity of multi-stakeholder agricultural innovation processes involving smallholders. National teams used literature searches and interactions with a range of institutions and networks engaged in agricultural innovation to identify cases. Interviews with resource persons and field visits were also conducted to supplement the available / accessible documentation. The inventory was made according to a common analytical framework and guidelines inspired by the Innovation System perspective to allow for an analysis across cases and countries. The completed inventory includes 57 documented cases, covering a wide diversity of experiences, in terms of types, domains, scales and timelines of innovation. The 57 cases confirm previously documented features, such as the diversity of stakeholders involved in innovation, the diversity of innovation triggers, or also the frequent occurence of market driven innovation. It also illustrates more original features: the typically long time frames of innovation processes; the common occurrence of "innovation bundles" (a combination over time of technological, social and/or institutional innovations); and an often close relationship between innovation and externally-funded projects. National teams faced several challenges during the inventory process, including a common understanding and consistent use of key innovation-related concepts, and a difficult access to relevant information related partly to restrictions put by several case holders on sharing openly their experience. Out of the inventory, JOLISAA has selected thirteen cases which will undergo a subsequent phase of collaborative assessment. The assessment will strive to assess issues the inventory could not tackle, such as the actual roles and contributions of the various stakeholders, the dynamics of the innovation process, and the influence of the enabling environment on the innovation process and outcome.

The main question addressed by this article is how to adapt the responsive evaluation (RE) approach to an intervention context characterized by repetition of ineffective interventions, ambiguous intervention action theories among stakeholders, and high complexity. The context is Grand-Popo, a fishing municipality located on Benin's southwest Atlantic coast. The fishery management interventionists and the fishing communities in the municipality all espoused concern for the sustainable improvement of fishing actors’ livelihood conditions, but differed about the reasons for this livelihood impairment, and about what should be done, when, where, and by whom. Given this ambiguity, we identified RE as a promising action research approach to facilitate dialogue and mutual learning, and consequently to improve stakeholders’ ability to resolve problems. However, this approach seems to have some shortcomings in the Grand-Popo context, regarding the repetitive ineffectiveness of interventions, high complexity, and uncertainty. Therefore, based on our empirical study, we add three dimensions to the existing RE framework: historical analysis to deal with routine interventions, exploration and discussion of incongruities of action theories to trigger double-loop learning, and system analysis to deal with complexity and uncertainty. This article does not intend to address the implications or impact of this adapted RE framework. Instead, we suggest some criteria and indicators for evaluating whether the proposed amended RE approach has assisted in resolving the fishery problems in Grand-Popo after the approach has been applied.

Yam and cowpea are important elements in the food culture of local communities in the Transitional Guinea-Sudan Zone of Benin. Yam and cowpea serve to satisfy vital needs in households and in communities, but also play an essential role in the rituals and ceremonies of the agrarian civilizations of Benin. The diversity of rituals, food habits, technological traits and food security strategies for the two crops contributes to the maintenance of varietal diversity. It is not possible for one or even a few varieties to meet all needs. The more a variety is culturally and socially embedded, the greater the chance that it will meet acceptance on the local and regional market. Farmers' ambition to meet market demands in order to satisfy socio-economic needs also sustains and increases varietal diversity. Especially female farmers growing cowpea showed positive diversity maintenance behaviour. Overall, the study shows that the management of on-farm genetic resources is a socially and culturally constructed system. Any external strategy to improve management of on-farm diversity should take into account these social and cultural aims.

A study of the institutional context of the cotton industry in Benin was conducted in 2004, based on an analysis of stakeholders' interests and influence. The impacts on innovation processes and production systems are analysed with respect to farmers' organizations, the research and extension system and the economics of cotton production. The methodology includes qualitative tools and analytic frameworks applied to data from five villages in two municipalities. The reforms undertaken since 1990 to improve efficiency formally could be expected to lead to a harmonized system. But stakeholders' conflicting interests and personal strategies, more or less bound to networks organized as alliances, subvert the aim of the reform and have led to a further, unplanned restructuring. As things stand now, the cotton industry encompasses the conventional network and a breakaway network of stakeholders. In both, the primary stakeholders are the producers. They are directly affected by any change, but they have little power or influence. The study concludes that neither the reform process nor the unplanned restructuring have been favourable to producers. We argue that unless farmers are assisted to a change in their production system, to release their dependence on production credit and pesticide inputs, they cannot be effective partners.

Cotton production constraints in Benin as perceived by farmers were studied from May to July 2003. The knowledge, perceptions and practices of farmers growing cotton under different pest management regimes were analysed. The methods used were open and semi-structured interviews with groups and individuals, as well as participatory exercises (brainstorming, prioritization, and problem analysis). Pest damage, low price of produce, late payment for seed cotton, and increasing input costs were the main production constraints perceived by producers. Regardless of the pest management system practised, most of the farmers adapt the recommendations of the research institute and nongovernment organizations to their livelihood systems. In general, farmers had a poor understanding of the key concepts underlying alternative pest control systems. Pest damage was considered important and farmers were eager to share their knowledge, perceptions and practices in pest management. The study provides the foundation for the creation of a learning platform; actors will be invited to collaborate in participatory experimental agricultural technology development linked to the farmers' needs. In order to develop sustainable pest management strategies further interactive research is proposed, involving all stakeholders.