[ Genèse et développement du maraîchage urbain en République du Bénin ]
Volume 7, Issue 1, July 2014, Pages 123–133
H. Allagbé1, Magloire Aitchedji2, and Anges Yadouleton3
1 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), 06 BP 2604 Cotonou, Benin
2 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Natitingou-Université de Parakou, Benin
3 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Benin
Original language: French
Copyright © 2014 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A fast development of urban agriculture has recently taken place in many areas of the Republic of Benin. This study was conducted from January to December 2013 in southern and northern Benin in three major vegetable farms. It aimed to assess the genesis and the rapid expansion of urban agriculture especially, its contribution to the improvement of living conditions to urban populations.
The protocol was based on the collection of sociological data by interviewing vegetable farmers regarding on the history of vegetable farming in Benin, the various agricultural practices, the types of pesticides used, the typology of vegetable farms, the advantages and disadvantages of this agriculture.
Results from this study showed that:
(1) The creation of the first vegetable farmer was the work of the Christian missionaries and this in the context of their dietary requirements, but nowadays, the rapid development of urban agriculture is mainly due to unemployment observed in major cities, rural exodus and the search for a balanced diet by urban populations and increases the farmers' household income and their living standard;
(2) Vegetable farming activity is still devotes to young people (21-40 years old) where 75% among them are permanents gardeners, against 10% working part time and 15% on a temporary basis.
(3) Farmers used various types of pesticides, which in many cases were not recommended for this activity.
This study confirmed an increase activity of the vegetable farming in urban areas of Benin.
It has led to the use of insecticide in an improper manner to control vegetable pests, thus causing the emergence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.
Author Keywords: vegetable farming, vegetables, Insecticides, urban agriculture.
Volume 7, Issue 1, July 2014, Pages 123–133
H. Allagbé1, Magloire Aitchedji2, and Anges Yadouleton3
1 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), 06 BP 2604 Cotonou, Benin
2 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Natitingou-Université de Parakou, Benin
3 Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Benin
Original language: French
Copyright © 2014 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
A fast development of urban agriculture has recently taken place in many areas of the Republic of Benin. This study was conducted from January to December 2013 in southern and northern Benin in three major vegetable farms. It aimed to assess the genesis and the rapid expansion of urban agriculture especially, its contribution to the improvement of living conditions to urban populations.
The protocol was based on the collection of sociological data by interviewing vegetable farmers regarding on the history of vegetable farming in Benin, the various agricultural practices, the types of pesticides used, the typology of vegetable farms, the advantages and disadvantages of this agriculture.
Results from this study showed that:
(1) The creation of the first vegetable farmer was the work of the Christian missionaries and this in the context of their dietary requirements, but nowadays, the rapid development of urban agriculture is mainly due to unemployment observed in major cities, rural exodus and the search for a balanced diet by urban populations and increases the farmers' household income and their living standard;
(2) Vegetable farming activity is still devotes to young people (21-40 years old) where 75% among them are permanents gardeners, against 10% working part time and 15% on a temporary basis.
(3) Farmers used various types of pesticides, which in many cases were not recommended for this activity.
This study confirmed an increase activity of the vegetable farming in urban areas of Benin.
It has led to the use of insecticide in an improper manner to control vegetable pests, thus causing the emergence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.
Author Keywords: vegetable farming, vegetables, Insecticides, urban agriculture.
Abstract: (french)
L'agriculture urbaine, en particulier le maraîchage est devenu un nouveau métier au Bénin.
La présente étude réalisée de janvier à décembre 2013 dans les sites maraîchers au Sud et au Nord du Bénin, fournit des informations sur la genèse et le développement du maraîchage en milieu urbain.
Le protocole d'étude s'est articulé premièrement sur des données sociologiques. Les jardiniers ont été choisis de façon aléatoire sur les trois grands sites (Houeyiho, Acron et Azereke) de maraichage au Benin. Ils ont été interviewés 1) sur l'historique du maraîchage, les pratiques agricoles en matière de lutte contre les ravageurs des cultures. Dans un deuxièmement temps, l'étude s'est focalisée sur 2) les acteurs de cette agriculture et leur typologie. Enfin, 3) les avantages et inconvénients de cette agriculture.
Les résultats de cette étude ont montré que : i) La création des premiers sites maraîchers fut l'œuvre des premiers missionnaires et ceci dans le cadre de leurs exigences alimentaires. Au cours de nos investigations, 67% des paysans déclarent se procurer des pesticides dans des structures illégales de vente de pesticides contre 33% dans les structures agréées par l'Etat.
ii)-Sur les 03 sites visités, le maraîchage reste dominé par les jeunes (21 à 40 ans), avec 75% de maraîchers permanents, 10% de maraîchers à temps partiel et 15% de maraîchers temporaires. iii)- En plus des apports nutritionnels qu'apporte l'agriculture maraîchère aux populations urbaines, cette dernière, sur le plan social, constitue un secteur pourvoyeur d'emploi pour des milliers de bénéficiaires directs et indirects.
Le développement de l'agriculture urbaine notamment le maraîchage au Bénin reste et demeure une réalité. Cependant, l'utilisation anarchique d'insecticides chimiques pour lutter contre les ravageurs de légumes, contribue à la sélection de la résistance des vecteurs du paludisme.
Author Keywords: sites maraîchers, légumes, insecticides, Agriculture urbaine.
How to Cite this Article
H. Allagbé, Magloire Aitchedji, and Anges Yadouleton, “Genesis and development of urban vegetable farming in Republic of Benin,” International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 123–133, July 2014.
