In many regions of the world, and specifically in the municipality of Grand-Popo in Benin, agropastoral practices are essential for the local economy and the livelihoods of communities. However, these activities are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change. Variations in precipitation, prolonged droughts, sudden floods, and other extreme weather phenomena disrupt the natural cycles of crop growth, as well as the availability of pasturelands. Additionally, overexploitation of natural resources leads to soil degradation and damage to fragile ecosystems.
This research aims to analyze the constraints faced by agropastoralists in the municipality of Grand-Popo.
To this end, qualitative and quantitative data were collected using interview guides and questionnaires from a random sample of 120 individuals, including farmers, herders, and agropastoralists. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The results indicate that agropastoralists are facing several constraints. These include health issues, conflicts related to space management, mainly due to animal wandering, overgrazing, and destructive farming practices leading to the disappearance of certain species. Additionally, droughts have a significant impact, with a lack of water infrastructure in the municipality and limited water resources in grazing areas. Floods also result in significant losses, with a high concentration of herds in certain areas of the municipality, causing damage to crops and the death of many animals.