Les migrations agricoles participent-elles à la conservation de l'agrobiodiversité ? Cas de l'igname au Nord-Bénin, Afrique de l'Ouest.

Are migratory movements favorable or unfavorable to the agrobiodiversity conservation? This study provides some answers through an analysis of the impact of migration on yam agrobiodiversity in North-Benin. A sample of 120 respondents (natives, migrants and non-migrants) was selected in a reasoned and snowball sampling. Data on the reasons of migration, the varieties of yam cultivated and the modes of access, the knowledge and know-how of yam biodiversity management and their origin were collected during individual interviews and focus groups. They were analyzed using discourse analysis, Kendall's concordance test and Student's t test. Insufficient arable land and poor soils are the main reasons of rural migration. Migrants introduced 20 yam varieties and associated practices in the host area, and 17 in their departure area during various visits. As adopters of these new varieties do not abandon the old ones, their varietal portfolio is more diversified than that of non-adopters. Rural migrations contribute to the enrichment of yam agrobiodiversity. They are potential channels for the dissemination of new varieties and technologies for agricultural extension organizations. A diachronic analysis would allow a more in-depth analysis of the long-term threats to agrobiodiversity loss in the farming environment and thus the need for an appropriate conservation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]