Fondements Géographiques De La Valorisation Agricole Des Bas-Fonds Au Sud Du Bassin Versant De l’Oti (Bénin)

Abstract

In the south of Oti catchment in Benin, the agricultural development of the lowlands for rice and vegetable cultivation, guarantees a large part of food resources. It also serves as an important source of financial income to agricultural households. This paper focuses on understanding the geographical foundations of this kind of agricultural production in the study area. Surveys of 207 farm households and the statistical processing of climatic, demographic, agricultural and socio-economic data have made it possible to highlight the natural and human factors of farm occupation and the use of these lowland agro-ecosystems. The results obtained revealed that the population of the south of Oti catchment has almost doubly increased between 1992 and 2013. It will increase four times in 2050 by creating the need to have excess food. In addition to this situation, climatic parameters fluctuation, plateau land qualitative tiredness, and major constraints of traditional agriculture were added. Henceforth, these are factors, in addition to the richness of the lowlands and water availability for a long period, which have helped in motivating the population of farmers. About 2000 ha of lowlands were reclaimed by irrigation schemes between 1982 and 2015 in this area. This was possible with the help of technical structures and agricultural development organizations.

Perceptions paysannes de la dégradation des ressources naturelles des bas-fonds en zone soudano-sahélienne: cas du sous bassin versant du Nakanbé-Dem au Burkina Faso

“…Les hommes sont plus nombreux à exploiter ces bas-fonds par rapport aux femmes. Cette tendance est générale en zone soudano-sahélienne où les bas-fonds connaissent, ces dernières décennies, une exploitation agricole intense en raison de la fertilité de leurs sols et de leur caractère hydromorphe (Souberou et al, 2017;Souberou et al, 2018). L'exploitation des bas-fonds constitue l'une des stratégies d'adaptation des agriculteurs au changement climatique.…”

“…La pression foncière sur les bas-fonds est favorisée par les potentialités qu'offrent ces zones humides, espaces multi-usages, et considérées comme des sols à hauts rendements agricoles. La mise en valeur des bas-fonds permet aux producteurs de tirer profit des potentiels pédologiques et hydrologiques disponibles et des opportunités socio-économiques (Souberou et al, 2018).…”

Farmers’ perceptions of the degradation of natural resources in lowlands in the Sudano-Sahelian zone: The case of the Nakanbé-Dem sub-watershed in Burkina Faso

“…More men than women are exploiting these lowlands. This trend is general in the Sudano-Sahelian zone or the lowlands have been experiencing intense agricultural exploitation in recent decades due to the fertility of their soils and their hydromorphic character [3,5] . The exploitation of lowlands constitutes one of the adaptation strategies of farmers to climate change.…”

“…Land pressure on the lowlands is favored by the potential that , these wetlands, multi-use spaces, and considered high agricultural yielding soils offer. The development of lowlands allows producers to take advantage of the available soil and hydrological potentials and socio-economic opportunities [5] .…”

Spatial Dynamics And Risks Analysis Of Lowlands Degradation Potential Around Of Nakanbé-Dem Sub-Watershed In Center-Nord Of Burkina Faso (West Africa): Through Multi-Date Study And Satellite Tele-Analysis

“…Wood and non-wood forest products (NTFPs) are also sources of health and cultural uses (Ola and Benjamin, 2019). Formerly reserved for pastures and farming, the plains are now the areas most coveted by farmers whose production activities are more secure (Oloukoi et al); ( , Souberou et al, 2018. In the recent decade, there has been an increased use of lowland areas to the point of restrict land available to other livelihood activities around the lowland (Souberou et al, 2017).…”